The Future of BarleyRex Newkirk, PhD

Research Chair in Feed Processing Technology

Background

• Barley is traditionally the corn of the north

– Losing acres

• How do we increase demand and therefore price?

– What are these opportunities?

– What needs to be done to realize these opportunities?

Nutritional Composition of Canadian Barley (Dry matter basis)

Nutrient (%) Regular Barley Corn

Starch 58.2 73.4

β-glucan 4.3 n/a

Acid Detergent Fibre 5.85 2.9

Neutral Detergent Fibre

18.49 9.1

Protein 12.4 8.2

Lipid 2.6 3.5

Amino Acid Content of Canadian Barley (% of protein)

Amino Acid Barley Corn

Arginine 4.4 3.8

Histidine 2.1 2.8

Isoleucine 3.6 3.7

Lysine 3.4 2.6

Methionine 2.6 1.8

Phenyalanine 5.2 5.1

Threonine 3.1 3.6

Valine 5.0 5.3

Note Barley contains 12.4% CP, Corn 8.2%

Energy content of Canadian BarleyBarley Corn

Ruminants

TDN, % 88 90

NEm (Mcal/kg) 2.03 2.24

Neg (Mcal/kg) 1.37 1.55

Swine

ME (kcal/kg) 2,962 3,320

NE (kcal/kg) 2,269 2,651

Poultry AME (kcal/kg) 2900 3350

Selling/Using – Nutritional content• Bushel weight is a poor indicator of nutritional

value (NIRS calibrations available)

• Only applies if seed is not fully developed or if using screenings

• Barley is variable (Fibre, energy, protein)

– Discounted in broiler and swine diets

– Higher fiber lower starch not a problem for ruminants

Barley Protein Variation

9

9.5

10

10.5

11

11.5

12

18:43:12

18:57:36

19:12:00

19:26:24

19:40:48

19:55:12

20:09:36

Time

Series1

More accurate formulation –Inline NIRS

• Majority of formulation based on book value minus ½ to 1 standard deviation

• Significant safety margins built into diet specifications

• Increase accuracy (reduce safety margin requirements)

Formulation to a lower energy content

• Premium fuel vs regular fuel?

• Barley is higher fiber (hull) and lower energy than corn but in Canada it is often more profitable to formulate the diets to slightly lower energy content and include Barley

• Primary focus is often feed conversion ratio not feed to Cash conversion ratio

– University of Alberta/Government of Alberta conducting trials to demonstrate value

– Requires education of industry and accountants

Slow growing broiler movement

Gut health opportunity• The fibre content is now recognized as

promoting a healthy and functioning gizzard improving bird performance

• Some producers include whole barley (up to 35% ) in diet to promote gizzard function and gut health

Adding Value – Novel Properties• Barley have unique attributes (fibre) which may

contribute to gut health in absence of antibiotics

• Studying affects of B-glucans from Barley on gut health in Broiler chickens

– PhD student

– Studying soluble B-Glucans X enzyme

• Role of insoluble fibre on gut health

– Collaborator with UofA in Science cluster application

Adding value – Reducing Fusarium

• Improving value of fusarium infected grains

– Sorting to removed infected materials (BoMill)

– Mechanical followed by aspiration

– Oxidation

– M.Sc. Student starting in July

– SK Barley seed funding

Sorting to Add value• Can sort with NIT into

higher value fractions (look through the hull) BoMill IQ

• Many calls from producers looking for practical solutions

• Producer workshop –July 22nd, Melfort

7.2

4.6

2.61.8 1.5

Orig 95% 90% 80% 70%

7.2 ppm Durum

DON…

Practical Barley Sorting

Source Flamans and BoMill, 2017

Adding Value - Marketing• Barley Council of

Canada developing new market in China

• Seminars in China

• Feeding trial 180,000 broilers

• Incoming mission in August

Adding Value through Canadian Feed Research Centre

• Centre supports research at UofS and abroad

• Supports academic research

• Supports industrial clients

• Used to provide training both in class and industry

Questions?Feed Guide available at :

http://www.albertabarley.com/download-feedguide