Final report for SW23-950
Project Information
One of the many challenges Western US beef producers face is climate change and drought conditions that negatively impact animal performance and economic viability. Drought conditions result in increasing price, decreasing yield and variability in nutrient density of feedstuffs. This is relevant because feed costs account for approximately 70% of the total costs of raising beef. In addition, rural areas are becoming more urban and producers are being forced to either move their operations to more rural areas, or transport their feedstuffs a greater distance. These are several of the largest challenges that beef producers currently face and will continue to face in the future. Feeding sprouted grains (fodder) is one method to alleviate some of the issues producers face. Hydroponic fodder systems are used to sprout cereal grains for approximately 6-10 days and are then fed to livestock. Hydroponic growing does not require as much soil, land, fertilizer or water as conventional farming systems and is not affected by changes in the climate, such as temperature or precipitation levels. This is advantageous as fodder can be produced year-round, results in a feed with higher nutrient density than traditional forages, and has a relatively low amount of inputs, which ultimately improves sustainability of beef production. However, to date, little research has been done to understand how including fodder in the ration impacts beef cattle production. As such, the proposed research will analyze the effects of including barley fodder in the ration of beef cattle on live cattle performance, carcass quality, rumen characteristics, nutritive value of the meat, and economic viability. Two different trials will be completed to determine the impacts of providing barley fodder to growing and finishing beef steers, as well as in developing heifers. Completion of these two different trials will provide important insight into two very different, yet important nutritional periods, for beef producers in the Western region of the US. Additionally, this research team believes that it is not only of the utmost importance that this research be conducted, but that this research be disseminated through different outlets. As such, the results of these two research trials will be disseminated to producers, county extension agents and other professionals through more traditional venues such as publication of fact sheets and peer reviewed journal articles and presentations at local, state, and nationwide producer meetings. Results will also be disseminated though less traditional methods such as recorded podcasts and presentations and social media. Furthermore, two different field days will be hosted to provide hands-on experience with including fodder in the ration of livestock. These opportunities will provide individuals with the appropriate knowledge to utilize this resource, as well as learn how to produce fodder and include it in their rations. Being able to provide a high-quality feed produced with less inputs (land, water, fertilizer, etc.) and an increased output (more forage with an improved nutrient density) will impact both economic viability of producers and sustainability of the whole beef industry.
Research Objectives:
- Understand how including sprouted barley in the ration of beef cattle impacts live animal performance of both growing steers and developing heifers, as well as carcass quality.
- Determine how including sprouted barley in the ration of beef cattle impacts rumen fermentation characteristics.
- Use novel metabolomic approaches to assess animal health and nutritional quality of meat.
- Determine whether including hydroponic barley fodder in the ration of beef cattle is economically viable and impacts water usage of producers.
Extension Objectives:
- Host two field days to show producers, extension agents and other professionals in the field how sprouted grains are produced and how they can be fed to cattle in order to give them hands-on experience with this technology.
- Present the results of the research trials at local, regional and national meetings.
- Publish the results of the research trials as extension facts sheets and peer reviewed publications.
- Develop and host training sessions and materials to share with county extension agents across the Western region of the US.
- Discuss and present the results of the research trials through several social media outlets including Facebook, Instagram and podcasts.
Cooperators
- (Researcher)
- (Researcher)
- (Researcher)
- (Researcher)
- (Educator and Researcher)
- - Producer
- - Producer
- - Producer
Research
The research objectives were addressed through two beef cattle feeding trials conducted at the Utah State University (USU) South Farm in Wellsville, UT. Studies evaluated the inclusion of sprouted barley (SB) during finishing and in developing replacement heifers. Across studies, cattle performance, individual feed intake, feeding behavior, ruminal fermentation, carcass characteristics, meat quality, metabolomic profiles, reproductive performance, economics, and resource use were evaluated.
The original proposal included diets containing 40%, 60%, and 80% SB on an as-fed basis. During initial diet formulation and evaluation, these inclusion rates resulted in diets with excessive moisture because of the high moisture concentration of freshly harvested SB. Consequently, the proposed inclusion rates were not considered practical for commercial beef producers. The experimental diets were therefore reformulated using SB inclusion rates on a dry matter (DM) basis, with subsequent studies evaluating inclusion rates up to 20% of dietary DM. This modification maintained the original objectives of determining the biological and economic effects of feeding SB while evaluating inclusion rates that were more representative of potential commercial application.
Finishing trial. Sixty Angus steers (N = 60; initial BW = 385 ± 10.3 kg) were stratified by BW and assigned to one of two diets (n = 30/diet): a conventional finishing ration representative of the Intermountain West (CON) or a ration containing 20% SB on a DM basis (SB). The SB replaced corn silage and a portion of the rolled barley in the finishing diet. Steers were implanted with Ralgro at initiation of the study and fed their respective diets ad libitum for 128 d. Animals were housed in pens equipped with Vytelle feed intake units to continuously record individual feed intake and feeding behavior. Body weight, ruminal fluid, ribeye area (REA), and ribeye fat thickness (REFT) were collected on d 0, 30, 60, 90, and 128. Steers were commercially harvested when the group approached an industry target of approximately 12 mm of 12th-rib fat. Liver abscess score, hot carcass weight (HCW), dressing percentage (DP), USDA yield grade (YG), marbling score (MS), REA, and REFT were collected at harvest. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Repeated measures models included diet, day, and diet × day as fixed effects, with pen and source as random effects. Carcass, economic, meat quality, and other single-time-point outcomes were analyzed for the main effect of diet. Statistical significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05 and tendencies at 0.05 < P ≤ 0.10.
Economic outcomes from the finishing experiment were calculated using observed production data along with feed and cattle prices. Outcomes included total feed cost (TFC), cost of gain (COG), feed cost relative to HCW (FC:HCW), feed cost relative to MS (FC:MS), and net return (NR) over feed costs. Water consumption associated with production of SB in the vertical farming system was also quantified to evaluate resource requirements associated with hydroponic fodder production.
Meat Quality Trial: Following commercial harvest, the right loin from each finishing steer was collected approximately 48 h postmortem, vacuum packaged, and wet aged for 12 d at 4 °C. Meat quality analyses included instrumental color (L*, a*, and b*), pH, drip loss, cooking loss, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), and deoxymyoglobin, metmyoglobin, and oxymyoglobin during retail display. A consumer sensory panel consisting of 200 untrained consumers (N = 200) evaluated aroma, flavor, tenderness, juiciness, and overall acceptance using a 7-point hedonic scale. Additionally, a targeted phytochemical analysis of feed and longissimus muscle samples was conducted using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine whether differences in dietary phytochemicals associated with SB were reflected in the resulting beef.
Replacement heifer trial. A replacement heifer development experiment was initiated in January 2025 using 60 Angus heifers (N = 60). Heifers were stratified into two diet groups (n = 30/diet) and fed their respective diets through the breeding period. Control heifers (CON) received a diet consisting of alfalfa hay (15.1% DM), grass hay (56.4% DM), and corn silage (28.5% DM). Heifers receiving sprouted barley (SB) received a diet consisting of grass hay (79.6% DM) and SB (20.4% DM). Body weight, hip height (HH), and BCS were collected on d 0, 30, 60, 90, and 110. Ruminal fluid was collected on d 0, 60, and 110 for evaluation of ruminal fermentation. Heifers were estrus synchronized using a 7-d CIDR protocol and bred based on observed estrus on d 119 to 121. Pregnancy status was evaluated by ultrasonography at 38 and 59 d following breeding to determine artificial insemination conception and pregnancy outcomes.
Fou peer-reviewed publications have resulted from this project or preliminary work that led to this project to date, with an additional manuscript evaluating replacement heifer development planned. Collectively, these studies evaluated the effects of SB on cow-calf pairs, backgrounding steers, finishing steers, meat quality and developing replacement heifers.
Finishing performance, carcass characteristics, and economics: Sixty Angus steers (N = 60; 385 ± 10.3 kg initial BW) were assigned to either CON or 20% SB diets (n = 30/diet) and fed for 128 d. Dry matter intake was lower for SB compared with CON steers (8.48 vs. 11.27 kg/d; SEM = 0.32; P < 0.0001), while ADG was not affected by diet (P = 0.54). Overall G:F was greater for SB compared with CON steers (0.19 vs. 0.15; SEM = 0.01; P = 0.006). When evaluated over time, G:F was affected by diet × day (P = 0.004), with SB steers having greater G:F during earlier portions of the feeding period (P ≤ 0.04), while no differences were detected later in the feeding period (P ≥ 0.52).
Total ruminal VFA concentration was affected by diet × day (P = 0.007). Acetate:propionate ratio (P < 0.001), percent propionate (P < 0.0001), and percent butyrate (P = 0.004) were also affected by diet × day. Bunk visit duration and feed bout duration were affected by diet (P < 0.0001) and day (P < 0.0001), with CON steers spending more time at the feed bunk than SB steers following the initial portion of the feeding period (P ≤ 0.003).
Hot carcass weight (P = 0.91), REA (P = 0.16), and marbling score (P = 0.32) were not affected by diet. USDA YG was greater for SB compared with CON steers (2.82 vs. 2.32; SEM = 0.36; P = 0.03).
Economic outcomes differed between diets. Steers receiving CON had lower TFC (P < 0.0001), COG (P = 0.0021), FC:HCW (P < 0.0001), and FC:MS (P = 0.002) and greater NR (P = 0.002) compared with SB-fed steers. Thus, although feeding SB at 20% of dietary DM maintained animal growth and most carcass characteristics, the greater cost of SB reduced its economic competitiveness relative to the conventional finishing diet under the conditions evaluated.
Meat quality, consumer acceptance, and metabolomics: Loins collected from finishing steers (CON, n = 30; SB, n = 30) were evaluated following harvest. Meat pH was greater in CON compared with SB (5.68 vs. 5.66; SEM = 0.008; P = 0.04). Cooking loss (P = 0.23), drip loss (P = 0.45), WBSF (P = 0.47), and instrumental color (L*, a*, and b*; P ≥ 0.19) were not affected by diet.
Deoxymyoglobin nor oxymyoglobin was not affected by diet (P ≥0.08) or diet × day (P ≥ 0.53) . Metmyoglobin was affected by diet (P = 0.05), however, no differences between diets were detected at individual time points (P ≥ 0.29).
A consumer acceptance panel (N = 198) detected no differences between CON and SB beef for aroma (P = 0.31), flavor (P = 0.11), tenderness (P = 0.21), juiciness (P = 0.69), or overall acceptance (P = 0.23). Therefore, inclusion of 20% SB in the finishing diet did not affect consumer acceptance of the resulting beef.
Targeted metabolomic analysis identified 85 phytochemical metabolites in the experimental feeds, of which 71 differed between diets (P < 0.05), with 28 metabolites present at greater concentrations in the SB diet. In contrast, only 2 of the 23 phytochemical metabolites detected in meat differed between diets (P < 0.05). Overall metabolic profiles of meat did not separate by diet (P > 0.05). These results demonstrate that although inclusion of SB substantially altered the phytochemical composition of the diet, relatively few of those dietary differences were reflected in the phytochemical profile of the resulting beef.
Replacement heifer development: Sixty Angus replacement heifers (N = 60; n = 30/diet) were fed either a conventional forage-based development diet (CON) or a diet containing approximately 20% SB on a DM basis through the breeding period. Body weight, HH, and BCS were evaluated on d 0, 30, 60, 90, and 110, with ruminal fluid collected on d 0, 60, and 110. Heifers were estrus synchronized using a 7-d controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol and bred based on observed estrus on d 119 to 121, with pregnancy evaluated 38 and 59 d following breeding. Preliminary analyses indicated that SB-fed heifers had lower ruminal pH and BCS than CON heifers, while no differences were detected for the other growth measurements evaluated. Final reproductive and statistical analyses are being completed, and the results are expected to be submitted as an additional peer-reviewed manuscript.
Overall, the research conducted through this project demonstrates that SB can be incorporated at practical inclusion rates into diets for multiple stages of beef production. Inclusion of SB generally had minimal effects on BW and growth performance but consistently influenced DMI, nutrient intake, feeding behavior, and specific measures of ruminal fermentation. Feeding 20% SB during finishing did not negatively affect most carcass traits, meat quality measurements, or consumer acceptance. However, the economic analysis demonstrated greater feed-related costs and lower net returns for SB-fed steers, indicating that production cost remains a primary constraint to commercial adoption under the conditions evaluated.
Research outcomes
Based on the findings of our first research trial, we have found that including sprouted barley in the diet of feedlot steers results in feedlot performance, carcass quality, and meat quality is similar to those that are not fed sprouted barley. Producers should consider using sprouted barley as an alternative feed source when prices of other feeds (hay, corn silage, grain, etc.) are greater than the price of sprouted barley. This feed may be economically advantageous following drought years or years where severe weather damages crops.
Our first research trial also included carcass characteristics, meat quality, and phytochemical composition of the meat that was produced. Largely, no differences were found in the meat quality or consumer acceptable of the meat that was produced, but we did see a few differences in phytochemicals present within the meat. Taken together, these results demonstrate that including sprouted barley in the diet at 20% (dry matter) has no effect on meat quality or phytochemicals present within the meat.
The findings of our second research trial indicate that including sprouted barley in the diet of heifers at 20% DM may negatively alter production. Heifers that received 20% (DM basis) sprouted barley had decreased dry matter intake and average daily gain and lost body condition score compared to heifers that received a typical heifer development ration. In addition, although the data was not significantly different, heifers that received sprouted barley in their diet had a numerically lower conception rate following single-service AI than those that received a typical heifer development diet. Based on the findings of our research, we do not recommend that producers feed sprouted barley to developing beef heifers. Further research should be done to see if including sprouted barley in the diet of developing heifers at different inclusion rates has an impact on heifer performance and conception.
Research objective completion:
Research Objective 1: Understand how including sprouted barley in the ration of beef cattle impacts live animal performance of both growing steers and developing heifers, as well as carcass quality.
This objective was completed through cow-calf, backgrounding, finishing, and replacement heifer studies. Across the published studies, SB could generally be incorporated into cattle diets without major reductions in growth performance at the inclusion rates evaluated. The finishing study further demonstrated that most measured carcass characteristics were not negatively affected by the inclusion of 20% SB on a DM basis. The replacement heifer trial expanded these findings to developing females by evaluating growth, body condition, ruminal characteristics, and reproductive outcomes.
Research Objective 2: Determine how including sprouted barley in the ration of beef cattle impacts rumen fermentation characteristics.
This objective was completed across multiple experiments. Ruminal pH and VFA composition were measured in cow-calf pairs, backgrounding steers, finishing steers, and developing heifers. Sprouted barley altered several measures of ruminal fermentation depending on inclusion rate and stage of production, but the observed responses generally did not correspond with major reductions in animal performance.
Research Objective 3: Use novel metabolomic approaches to assess animal health and nutritional quality of meat.
This objective was completed using targeted metabolomic analysis of feeds and meat collected from the finishing study. Considerable differences were identified among the phytochemical profiles of SB and the experimental diets, while relatively few differences were detected in beef from cattle consuming the different diets. Traditional meat quality measurements and consumer sensory evaluation were also conducted and generally indicated minimal effects of SB on the resulting beef.
Research Objective 4: Determine whether including hydroponic barley fodder in the ration of beef cattle is economically viable and impacts water usage of producers.
This objective was completed through economic analysis of the finishing trial and measurement of water consumption during hydroponic SB production. Water consumption associated with production of SB in the vertical farming system was quantified to evaluate resource requirements associated with hydroponic fodder production. The system utilized approximately 667 L of water/d while producing approximately 523.6 kg of fresh SB/d, equivalent to approximately 1.27 L of water/kg of fresh SB produced. These data provide a direct estimate of water requirements associated with hydroponic SB production and can be considered alongside feed production costs, labor, infrastructure, and animal performance when evaluating the feasibility of the system. Economic analysis indicated that, under the conditions evaluated, SB increased feed-related costs and reduced net returns compared with the conventional finishing diet. These findings suggest that although SB is biologically viable as a feed ingredient, economic feasibility is highly dependent on the cost of producing the fodder relative to conventional feed ingredients.
Education and Outreach
Participation summary:
Our team believes that it is of the utmost importance that not only is this research conducted in order to come up with feed options that are more sustainable, but that we disseminate the results of this research trial with producers, extension agents, and other professionals in the agricultural field. As such, two members (Drs. Garcia and Larsen) of the research team have extension as their primary role in their respective positions at USU. In addition, all of the other members of the research team have experience in extension and are excited to be able to share the findings of the research trial with both the agricultural and scientific communities. Our team believes that is it of the utmost importance that the findings of this research are shared to ensure that everyone is aware of different resources that are available to them to help improve sustainability and economic viability of their operations. As such, we planned to disseminate the results of the proposed research trials to a wide audience utilizing several different methods of dissemination to ensure that this information is easily accessible by a broad audience. The following extension and education objectives were completed in order to reach our dissemination goal:
- Host two field day to show producers, extension agents and other professionals in the field how sprouted grains are produced and how they can be fed to cattle in order to give them hands-on experience with this technology.
- Present the results of the research trials at local, regional and national meetings.
- Publish the results of the research trials as extension facts sheets and peer reviewed publications.
- Develop and host training sessions and materials to share with county extension agents across the Western region of the US.
- Discuss and present the results of the research trials through several social media outlets including Facebook, Instagram and podcasts.
To complete objective 1, two different field days were hosted in conjunction with Utah Beef Field Day to give producers, extension agents and other professionals in the field hands-on experience with how automated systems can be used to produce sprouted grains, how sprouted grains can be included in the ration of beef cattle at different stages of production, the economic viability of these systems and feedstuffs, and how water usage is impacted. Initially we planned to perform these field days at the South Farm at Utah State University located in Logan, UT and at Blackett Angus Ranch in Mona, UT. However, based on feedback from producers, we decided to host them both in conjunction with Utah Beef Field Day to limit the number of trips that producers had to take to gain new information. Completion of this objective provided valuable hands-on experience and implicitly demonstrated to producers and other agricultural professionals how this technology functions, how the feed can be included in rations, the economic impact of these systems, the effects of including this feedstuffs relative to production and animal health, and how water usage is altered at the operation level. Field days were hosted in February of 2025 and 2026.
To complete objective 2, findings of the two research trials were presented at the National Meeting of the American Society for Animal Science in 2026, 2025 and 2024. This conference has attendees that vary in backgrounds from producers to academics, but are primarily academics. In addition, the results were also presented at the Utah Beef Cattle Field Day, Utah Cattlemen’s Convention, and the Cowman’s Repro Workshop. Through completion of objective 2, we were able to reach a wide audience of individuals and share the results of this research in order to raise awareness and understanding of automated production of sprouted grains and how it impacts production, economics and water usage within a beef operation
To complete objective 3, data collected from both research trials will be published in extension facts sheets and peer reviewed scientific journals. By publishing the results in several different outlets, we will be able to disseminate the findings to several different audiences in a print form. Extension fact sheets can be accessed through a simple google search or from the extension home page at Utah State University and are read by people of many different backgrounds; including students, producers, extension agents, academics, and other industry professionals. However, data published in extension fact sheets is meant to be fairly brief in nature and only provide a quick synopsis of the results and how they are applicable. As such, the feedlot portion of this research was published in the Journal of Animal Feed Science and Technology in a manuscript entitled 'Impacts of including sprouted barley in the ration on feedlot performance and carcass traits of angus steers.' We are still finalizing the publication for the heifer development trail and anticipate that it will be published in the same journal. In addition, we are currently working on at least three different fact sheets that will be published to help disseminate the findings of the research to a wider audience.
To complete objective 4, materials such as presentations and informational sheets, were created for both extension agents and VoAg teachers. This “train the trainer” model has been historically used with past programs and has been shown to multiply outcomes. Given some recent changes in leadership within USU Extension, we are still working with USU Extension to come up with a plan to train Extension Agents at USU’s annual extension conference, annual area in-service training. Additionally, this research has been presented twice as a Stock and Flock talk through USU Extension, which is a series watched by both producers and Extension Agents.
To complete objective 5, the results of the research trial will be shared through extension social media, youtube and podcasts in order to reach a broader audience. It is important that some of the newer technologies, such as social media, are included in the dissemination of the research results as some individuals use these platforms as their primary form of communication and information. We are still finalizing some of the research results, but plan to begin disseminating this information on social media soon.
We believe that by completing each of these objectives we were able to disseminate the findings of the research trial to a wide audience by utilizing a number of different outlets in order to impact the greatest number of individuals possible. Producers have been very interested in the data that we have shared and we look forward to continuing dissemination of our results.
We are still in the process of collecting data and have not yet conducted most of the outreach activities associated with this project as we are still in the process of collecting research data from the second trial.
Utah State University hosted the Utah Beef Field Day in February 2024 and the rationale behind the research was shared and producers seemed excited to get the results over the next year. Hands-on demonstrations were hosted the day after Beef Field Day in both 2025 and 2026 to give producers hands-on experience with how the sprouted grains are produced and how they are fed to cattle. In 2025 we had 52 different producers and/or industry professionals present and in 2026 there were 38 individuals present. This was done in place of the field days and we believe this venue helped to improve attendance.
We also presented the research findings at the National Meeting of the American Society for Animal Science in 2024, 2025, and 2026 at the annual meeting. Locally, the results were presented at the Utah Beef Cattle Field Day (2025, 2025, and 2026), Utah Cattlemen’s Convention (2025), and the Cowman’s Repro Workshop (2025). This helped to reach a wide audience.
One scientific manuscript has been published in the Journal of Animal Science and Feed Technology and another has been published in the Journal of Animal Science. A third is currently in the final stages of preparation. We are also currently working on preparing at least four different fact sheets that outline this work.
We are also currently working on preparing training materials and information to share on social media in order to more broadly share the findings of this research project.
Lastly, the PhD student who worked on this project has completed his PhD degree and a portion of this research is detailed in his dissertation. Through being involved in this project he has gotten a lot of valuable research and Extension experience and is currently working to find a job as a beef extension specialist to continue sharing his passion of sustainable beef cattle production.
Education and Outreach Outcomes
Producers are very interested in the research and we will just continue to share our findings with others as opportunities arise and people reach out with questions.
- sprouted grains
- sustainable beef production
- drought mitigation
- diet formulation
diet formulation
alternative feedstuffs
mitigating risk of drought/adverse weather events