Nutritional evaluation of barley forage varieties for silage

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This research will provide beef producers with advanced feed quality information on barley forage varieties commonly grown for silage, particularly the degree of variation that exists within and between varieties for the extent and rate of rumen neutral detergent fibre (cell wall) degradability. Further, it will point to the value of growing specific barley varieties for silage that have been selected for increased rates of neutral detergent fibre degradability. For example, knowledge of within and between variety differences in barley forage neutral detergent fibre degradability can lead to selection of barley varieties for silage by beef producers for use in backgrounding and finishing programs with improved digestibility that results in reduced manure output and potentially reduced methane emissions. Selection of barley forage varieties that have greater feed value will also improve animal performance, particularly feed efficiency and reduce the cost of gain in backgrounding and finishing programs by allowing for a greater proportion of silage to be fed. This will not only reduce the need for supplementing with cereal grains, but will also reduce the cost of supplemention. The research will also be of value to barley breeding programs, providing detailed nutritional knowledge on barley varieties for forage. This information can be used to develop new varieties for silage through improved selection decisions. Successful achievement of our research objectives will positively impact Canadian agriculture regionally and nationally. Regionally, western Canadian beef producers will be more profitable due to lower feed and manure handling costs, while grain growers and seed companies will see increased demand for barley as a forage crop. Nationally, a stronger western Canadian beef and forage sector translates to increased economic activy and revitilization in the rural economy. The project will also lead to the training of two highly qualified personnel who will go on to positively impact Canadian agriculture through academic, industrial or government channels.