Date of Award:
12-2025
Document Type:
Dissertation
Degree Name:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department:
Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences
Committee Chair(s)
Kara J. Thornton
Committee
Kara J. Thornton
Committee
Sulaiman Matarneh
Committee
S. Clay Isom
Committee
Stephan van Vliet
Committee
Chad M. Page
Abstract
Beef producers in the United States are working to meet rising global demand for animal protein while facing major challenges such as drought, climate uncertainty, and rapid urbanization. These issues make it difficult to produce consistent and dependable feed, pushing producers to explore new ways to grow feed using fewer natural resources. Vertical farming systems are one option that can grow sprouted cereal grains indoors throughout the year while using decreased land and water than traditional agriculture. Sprouted barley grows within six to seven days and may serve as a nutrient dense alternative feed source for cattle at several stages of production. However, little information exists on how sprouted barley influences cattle growth, rumen function, carcass characteristics, or meat quality across the entire beef production cycle. This research evaluated sprouted barley in cow and calf pairs, backgrounding cattle, and finishing cattle. Across all stages, sprouted barley did not negatively affect cattle performance. In cow and calf pairs fed 50:50 alfalfa sprouted barley for 90 days, calf body weight, average daily gain, feed efficiency, and daily feed intake did not change. The cow’s feed intake and body condition also remained the same. Milk from cows receiving sprouted barley tended to contain fewer somatic cells. In backgrounding steers fed diets that contained 0-20% sprouted barley, some changes occurred in nutrient intake and ruminal fermentation. However, growth rate, feed efficiency, and ultrasound measurements of carcass traits did not differ among dietary treatments. In finishing steers, a 20% sprouted barley inclusion reduced feed intake and improved feed efficiency by maintaining growth. Carcass traits such as hot carcass weight, backfat thickness, and marbling score were not affected. Meat quality characteristics including tenderness, juiciness, flavor, cooking loss, drip loss, and color did not differ between cattle fed sprouted barley and cattle fed a traditional finishing diet. Although many plant compounds differed between the feeds, only two compounds measured in the meat differed. Overall, these findings show that sprouted barley can be used throughout beef production without compromising performance, carcass value, or meat quality, and may improve feed efficiency during finishing.
Checksum
d0905da122a340c418136aca5f7a504a
Recommended Citation
Crump, Zachary C., "Impacts of Including Sprouted Barley in the Diet of Beef Cattle on Production, Ruminal Health, And Meat Quality" (2025). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present. 663.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd2023/663
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