PSIV-11 - Effects of sprouted barley on weights, ribeye area, backfat in growing steers

Abstract: As the climate of our world continues to change, alterations to traditional farming methods are necessary to adapt to the environment and available resources. Changes in weather and costs of feed, coupled with decreased availability of feed and labor necessitate alternative methods for livestock feed production. One alternative to traditional farming is the production of sprouted grains in controlled environment, vertical farming units. However, little research has been completed on how including these feeds in the ration of beef cattle impacts production. This research examined the effects of including sprouted barley in growing rations of steers relative to weight gain, ribeye area (REA) and ribeye fat thickness (REFT). A group of 60 commercial Angus steer calves (328.24±6.48 kg) were initially stratified by weight into one of four different treatment groups (n=15). The control group were fed a typical ration for the region and the three treatment groups were fed a ration that included barley sprouts at 5%, 10%, or 20% (DM). Steers were fed their treatment diets for 60 days and weight and ultrasound images for REA and REFT were collected on days 0, 30, and 60. All data were analyzed using PROC MIXED procedure of SAS with day as a repeated measure to determine the main effect of treatment. Over time, REA, REFT, and weight each increased (P < 0.05) in each treatment group. There were no differences (P >0.10) in weight or REFT due to treatment. REA tended (P=0.09) to increase in steers receiving 20% sprouted barley compared to controlled steers, but no other differences (P >0.10) were found in REA in other treatment groups. These data demonstrate that including sprouted barley in the ration at the levels analyzed has no negative effect on animal growth performance. Additional research needs to be conducted to determine whether there is an impact on other production parameters, such as economic viability.