Q: Can rolled barley replace silage during a time of shortage?

A: Yes. Rolled barley can replace up to half the forage in silage-based cattle diets.

Q: How much rolled barley replaces 5kg of grass silage?

A: Assuming silage is 25% dry matter, we can replace 20kg of fresh silage (5kg dry matter) with 3.75kg of rolled barley, as it has a higher energy concentration.

Q: Should I use a fodder stretcher ration instead of rolled barley?

A: If barley can be sourced, it is generally a more cost-effective option than a fodder stretcher-type ration. These will typically be made up of high-fibre ingredients, relatively lower in energy than barley. Many of the same ingredients will have been imported. Choosing rolled barley supports our own farmers.

Q: What are the best animals to feed barley to in a fodder deficit situation?

A: Ideally, it’s a larger animal that does not have much growing left to do, so protein isn’t a big issue. Barley’s protein concentration is, in general, too low for growing cattle. For me, dry cows or stores are ideal candidates – we can swap silage for barley and not have to worry about supplementary protein.

Q: I am being offered bales of silage for €25, but am unsure of their quality. Should I buy them or a bin full of rolled barley to stretch my silage?

A: Take a sample from the bales you are being offered to your feed mill or co-op. Most have an instant silage analyser. When you know the quality, use Table 1 to help with your decision. Remember, you must have a facility to store the barley.