Barley bran: properties, composition and applications

Barley bran is a by-product of processing barley grain into flour and groats. It is a less common type of bran compared to wheat bran, but it also finds application in feeding farm animals, especially ruminants. Barley bran contains more fiber and ash than wheat bran, which limits its use in rations of monogastric animals but makes it a valuable component for adult cattle and sheep.

Chemical Composition and Nutritional Value

The nutritional value of barley bran is determined by the content of fiber, protein and minerals. According to reference data, 1 kg of barley bran contains: 0.98 feed units, 8.9 MJ of metabolizable energy for cattle, 9.35 MJ for pigs and sheep. Dry matter — 849 g, crude protein — 119 g, digestible protein for cattle — 95 g, for pigs and sheep — 99.75 g. Crude fiber — 72 g, starch — 316.36 g, sugars — 14.46 g, crude fat — 26 g.

The mineral composition of barley bran includes calcium (1.1 g/kg), phosphorus (2.9 g/kg), potassium (11.89 g/kg), magnesium (5.69 g/kg), sodium (0.59 g/kg), as well as trace elements: iron (220.74 mg/kg), copper (4.08 mg/kg), zinc (15.28 mg/kg), manganese (21.23 mg/kg), cobalt (0.15 mg/kg), iodine (0.07 mg/kg). The vitamin composition is represented by vitamin E (15.7 mg/kg), vitamin B1 (5.4 mg/kg), B2 (2.8 mg/kg), B3 (20.7 mg/kg), B4 (965.4 mg/kg), B5 (147.4 mg/kg).

The fiber content in barley bran (72 g/kg) is higher than in wheat bran (88 g/kg), which is due to the coarser structure of barley hulls. This limits the digestibility of nutrients, especially in monogastric animals.

Feeding Rates

Barley bran is used mainly in feeding ruminants. Exact inclusion rates depend on the species, age and physiological state of the animals, as well as on the overall balance of the ration for fiber and energy.

For cattle, barley bran can be included in concentrate mixtures in limited quantities, since they are inferior to wheat bran in energy value and contain more fiber. Reference literature data on inclusion rates of barley bran for cattle are limited, but they can be used similarly to wheat bran with adjustment for higher fiber content. In rations of fattening cattle and adult animals for fattening, the share of barley bran can reach 20–30% of concentrates.

For pigs and poultry, barley bran is used to a limited extent due to its high fiber content, which reduces ration digestibility. They are introduced in small quantities in mixture with other feeds, mainly for adult stock.

Usage Features

Barley bran, like wheat bran, has a laxative effect when fed as a mash and can prevent diarrhea when fed dry. Due to their high content of phosphorus and trace elements, they serve as an additional source of mineral nutrition. However, due to coarse fiber, their energy value is lower than that of wheat bran, which must be taken into account when balancing rations for metabolizable energy.

When including barley bran in rations of monogastric animals, the total fiber level must be controlled to prevent a decrease in the digestibility of other nutrients. To improve palatability and digestibility, barley bran is recommended to be steamed or mixed with succulent feeds.

Storage

Barley bran is stored in dry, well-ventilated areas at a moisture content of not more than 13–14%. Due to their fat content, they are prone to rancidity, so storage periods are limited. The product must be protected from moisture, mold development and contamination with foreign impurities. During long-term storage, it is recommended to periodically check organoleptic indicators and fat acidity value.