Barley Fodder
- Home
- The Farm
- Sustainable Feed Sources
- Barley Fodder
What is Fall Sown Barley Fodder
Barley is both drought and saline tolerant. We plan to collaborate with vineyards to plant barley as a cover crop between the rows. The objectives of planting fall-sown barley include erosion control, water retention to replenish our aquifer, and the production of straw for erosion control on vineyard properties, for composting systems and barley for fodder on the farm.
Key Points About Fall Sown Barley:
Timeline with earliest-maturing varieties
Late September – October
Early varieties such as Integral or KWS Joyau (very early, score 8) or SY Canyon / Aretha (early) are drilled or broadcast into the mid-row alleys. Seedlings emerge within 7–14 days. Rapid autumn tillering begins while the vines are quiet post-harvest. The young stand provides immediate ground cover and erosion control.
November – February
The barley continues slow but steady growth through Napa’s mild winter, forming a low-to-moderate green carpet of tillers in the alleys. These early types maintain good winter survival under local conditions without excessive lushness.
Late February – early April
Spring growth surges. The early-maturing varieties move quickly into stem elongation and heading. Integral and KWS Joyau typically reach heading and flowering several days to a week ahead of mid-season types. By early-to-mid April the ears are emerging while the grapevines are still in early shoot growth.
April – May (grain fill and accelerated dry-down)
Grain filling proceeds rapidly. Because these varieties are selected for earliness, they progress from flowering through milk and dough stages faster than average winter barleys. By mid-to-late May the plants are turning golden and moisture is dropping under Napa’s warming, drying weather.
- Integral and KWS Joyau (very early) lead the pack.
- SY Canyon and Aretha follow closely (often only 1–3 days later).
- MN-Equinox (where suited) has shown very early dry-down in similar Mediterranean-influenced climates.
Harvest for dry seed (target: late May to early/mid-June)
The crop reaches hard, dry seed (thumbnail-hard, moisture ideally ≤14% for safe storage and high germination in the fodder system). With Integral or KWS Joyau, dry-seed harvest can begin as early as late May in favorable years.
SY Canyon, Aretha, or comparable early types typically finish by early to mid-June.
At this point the grape canopy is still only partially developed, so narrow vineyard equipment can access the alleys cleanly. The golden strips of ripe barley contrast with the expanding vine shoots. The seed is combined or otherwise harvested, cleaned, and stored for automated sprouting. Residual stubble can be left as light mulch or managed to keep the floor accessible.
Harvesting: Harvest for fall-planted barley typically occurs approximately 60 days after growth resumes in the spring. If growth begins in early spring, the harvest may be ready by early summer. Planting barley is estimated to cover 4 acres per hour, while harvesting would approximately cover 3 acres per hour.
In Napa County, with over 46,000 acres of vineyards, we may harvest only 30-40 bushels per acre, with each bushel weighing 48 pounds. This equates to 1,980 pounds of barley per acre. To support a containerized fodder plant of 1,600 square feet producing 2,000 pounds of fodder daily, we would need about 50 acres of barley. This yield would suffice to feed between 81-136 cattle, 384-641 hogs, or 18,000-29,000 chickens.
This strategy is the most effective for replenishing our Napa aquifers and slowing the erosion of our precious soil. It’s a commendable plan for retaining water in our vineyards using a beneficial cover crop.
How do we make Fall Sown Barley Fodder
Fall-sown barley fodder refers to barley seeds that are planted in the fall and grown specifically to be used as fodder—nutrient-rich feed for livestock. The process involves sprouting the barley seeds and allowing them to grow into a mat of grass which is then harvested and fed to animals such as chickens, ducks, goats, pigs and cows.
Here’s a brief overview of how it works:
- Soaking: Barley seeds are soaked overnight to initiate germination. typically, lye is used to keep down the mold and disease.
- Sprouting: After soaking, the seeds are drained and kept in conditions suitable for sprouting, which usually takes a few days. This is typically a 7 day grow out.
- Growing: The sprouted seeds develop into a mat of barley grass. Barley Fodder grown in our container systems, uses less than less than 1% of the water it takes to grow corn on an irrigated field.
- Harvesting: Once the grass reaches the desired length, it’s harvested and fed to steer, hog, rabbit, quail, turkey, and poultry.
This method of feeding provides a fresh, living food source that is rich in nutrients, and it can be particularly beneficial during the colder months when other green feed might not be readily available. It’s also a cost-effective way to supplement animal diets since it can reduce reliance on commercial feeds.
Nutritional Fact about BSFL
- Nutritional Energy: Barley fodder is rich in nutritional energy, providing nearly 12 megajoules of energy per kg of dry matter.
- High Digestibility: With a digestibility rate of 90%, animals can more efficiently process the nutrients in barley fodder.
- Protein Content: It contains over 20% protein, essential for the growth and health of livestock.
- Essential Trace Elements: Barley fodder includes vital trace elements like Potassium, Calcium, Copper, Cobalt, Magnesium, Sodium, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Molybdenum, and Selenium.
- Improved Overall Health: Livestock fed with barley fodder often show improved health, vitality, and productivity.
- Cost-Effective: It’s a cost-effective feeding option that can reduce reliance on commercial feeds and lower feeding costs.
- Enhanced Milk and Egg Quality: For dairy animals and poultry, barley fodder can lead to increased milk yield and better-quality eggs.
- Weight Gain: Studies have shown that livestock fed with barley fodder can experience quicker weight gains.
- Immune System Boost: The improved nutrition can bolster the immune system, leading to healthier animals.
- Reduced Veterinary Costs: Healthier animals typically mean fewer visits to the vet, thus reducing veterinary costs.
These benefits make barley fodder an attractive option for farmers looking to provide a nutritious, sustainable, and cost-effective diet for their animals.
Barley fodder is a highly nutritious feed option for livestock, offering a range of benefits due to its nutritional composition. Here are some key nutritional facts about barley fodder:
- Calories: Barley contains about 354 calories per 100 grams of raw weight.
- Carbohydrates: It has 73.48 grams of carbohydrates, which provide energy.
- Fiber: With 17.3 grams of fiber, it aids in digestion and gut health.
- Protein: Barley is a good source of protein, offering 12.48 grams per 100 grams, which is crucial for muscle development and repair.
- Fat: It has a low fat content at 2.3 grams per 100 grams.
- Minerals: Barley fodder contains essential minerals like Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium, which are important for various bodily functions.
- Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN): It has a TDN value of 80-84%, indicating the percentage of nutrients that are digestible by the animal.
The high digestibility and nutrient content make barley fodder an excellent choice for farmers looking to enhance the health and productivity of their livestock. It’s important to note that the exact nutritional values can vary based on factors such as soil fertility, climatic conditions, and barley variety.