Dear researchers,
Need your scientific opinion regarding any beneficial effect of using barley (Hordeum vulgare) vs. other cereals like corn (Zea mays) in dairy ration specifically during heat stress conditions.
Thanks!
Dear Dr. Mahesh, this is very interesting project. Following points could help you.These points are based on my wisdom of working with Barley in a UK based MNC. Barley is extensively used in Nutritional Health products (in infant food, baby food, Eg. Horlicks, Boost etc., ), it is used either as such or malted.
Major cultivated barley species is Hordeum vulgare. Raw barley grain is a rich source of both soluble and insoluble fiber and it is one of the dieter’s delight component. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006, approved for allowing barley based foods to carry a health claim specific to soluble fiber (β-glucan) and relating to both for reducing cardiovascular disease risk and modifying glycemic responses.
Barley has got High starch-to-protein ratio among other cereals, Has Complete enzyme system, and Self-adjusting to pH of the system.: -These qualities makes Barley as better alternative over other cereals and might benefit the animal as a best quality feed.
During malting, whole barley grains are soaked in water for 2 to 3 days and allowed to germinate and dried in a controlled environment to impart flavor, color and other unique characteristic to the final product. Malting helps to activate amylase enzyme which convert barley grain starch to simple sugar. This conversion mechanism might help to reduce the thermal stress in the Animal.
There is no direct answer for the question, you can co-relate the answer to these points.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for sharing new information explicitly; hopefully, this might be one of the reasons why farmers prefer barley during summer diets for their dairy cows.
Sincerely,
Mahesh
Yes Dear Mahesh, The farmers of Rajasthan used to feed the barley as major component of concentration to dairy cattle during extreme summer. The reason might be well explained by Naik saab.
Thank you Dr Bharat. Similar to your observations, the same belief exists among farmers of Punjab as well.
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