FEEDING BARLEY

[markpentre]

Going to start mixing in a bit of rolled barley with the 16% pellets they are getting. Being fed to 20 Month old stores out on grass and Silage. Not bothered with it before but want to push them on a bit before selling. Heard they can bloat on it though so wondering how much to mix in? There getting about 2kg a head of the meal at present. Any help much appreciated.

 

[M-J-G]

2kg of Barley won't bloat cattle.

Unless silage is very high in protein mixing barley with a 16% pellet will be low in protein.
I usually aim for a 16% concentrate on silage, reducing it at grass.

 

[davidroberts30]

Going to start mixing in a bit of rolled barley with the 16% pellets they are getting. Being fed to 20 Month old stores out on grass and Silage. Not bothered with it before but want to push them on a bit before selling. Heard they can bloat on it though so wondering how much to mix in? There getting about 2kg a head of the meal at present. Any help much appreciated.

introduce it over about 3 weeks

 

[Fergieman]

They will only bloat if you over feed them or put them straight onto ad-lib. You could feed 2kgs straight barley with out any problems as far as bloat.

 

[Al R]

I’ve got some 6 and 12 month old stores on 2.5kg rolled barley and 1kg 18% nut. Stepped up the 12 month old from nothing to 3.5kg in about a week and didn’t have any problems.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

2 kilos is nothing...you could double that easy