Evaluation of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Varieties for Small-Scale Fodder Sprout Production
ISSN 2158-9429
Volume 19, Issue 1 - June 2026
Editor: Bindu Poudel-Ward
Hadfield, J., Extension Associate Professor, Utah State University Extension
Clawson, J., Extension Assistant Professor, Utah State University Extension
Briggs, R., Extension Assistant Professor, Utah State University Extension
Hadfield, J., Extension Assistant Professor, Utah State University Extension
Beddes, T., Extension Associate Professor, Utah State University Extension
Caron, M., Extension Associate Professor, Utah State University Extension
Bonzo, E., Research Assistant, Utah State University Extension
Crump, Z., Postdoctoral Fellow, Utah State University
Okoh, J., Assistant Professor, Utah State University
Abstract
Rising feed costs have increased interest in sustainable, small-scale feed production for household livestock systems. This study provides one of the few controlled evaluations of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) sprout production under household-scale conditions. Six treatments—two barley varieties and a three-way grain mix, each with and without Austrian winter peas—were evaluated for nutritional composition and yield. Crude protein and fiber fractions differed among treatments, whereas dry matter yield and total digestible nutrients were unaffected. Pea inclusion increased crude protein, while the three-way mix elevated fiber. Results demonstrate that barley sprout nutrient profiles can be strategically adjusted without compromising productivity, offering a flexible and sustainable supplemental feed option for small-scale producers.
View/Download Full Article