Barley Fodder Outperforms Premium Alfalfa in Feed Quality, Water Use, and Environmental Impact
Sustainable changes are coming in how we feed livestock
Sprouting Gear Inc. (SGI) announces new Fermentrics Technologies Inc. laboratory findings confirming that hydroponically sprouted barley fodder not only rivals alfalfa in nutritional quality—it surpasses it in digestibility, efficiency, cost, and sustainability.
Scientific validation from Fermentrics Technologies Inc.
On October 1, 2025, the independent laboratory Fermentrics conducted a gas fermentation analysis (testing of the digestion for the microbial process in the rumen of a cow) on SGI’s sprouted barley sample. The results showed exceptional nutritional and microbial performance:
Quotes from Jay Johnston, the CEO of Fermentrics Technologies Inc.
"The aOMD measured 59.5% which is pretty darn good. To put it in perspective, that level of aOMD would be in the same order as RFV 185-190 alfalfa hay."
"We have run similar types of products in the past (fodder), and a comparison of results shows similarities, albeit the fast pool of your product is much quicker than the others. This is most certainly a nutritional benefit."
"I am unsure of your production process, but there is little indication that there are any deleterious fermentation effects."
Below is the chart from Fermentrics, followed by a contextual review prepared with the assistance of advanced analysis tools.
Report #1
This document is a technical report from Fermentrics, a gas fermentation analysis system, detailing the nutritional and digestive properties of a sprouted barley sample from a company called Sprouting Gear. The analysis was conducted on October 1, 2025. The report evaluates the sample's potential as an animal feed source.
Digestion Rate and Quality
The core of the report is the analysis of how the sprouted barley digests over time, which is a key indicator of its quality as feed.
* Gas Production Graph: The main graph shows the volume of gas produced from a 400 mg sample over 50 hours. Gas production is a proxy for microbial digestion. The digestion is broken down into two phases:
* Fast Pool (Orange Line): Represents rapidly digestible components like sugars and starches. This portion accounts for 30.25% of the total gas produced and reaches its maximum digestion rate at 2 hours.
* Slow Pool (Green Line): Represents more slowly digestible fiber. This portion is larger, making up 69.75% of the total gas produced, and reaches its maximum digestion rate at 8 hours.
* Microbial Biomass Production: This measures how well the feed supports the growth of beneficial digestive microbes. The sample scored 139.50 mg/g, which is rated in the Optimal range on the provided scale. This is a very positive result, indicating the feed is excellent for microbial health.
Nutritional Composition
The report also provides a detailed breakdown of the sample's nutritional content on a dry matter basis.
* Moisture and Dry Matter: The sample has a high moisture content of 81.7%, with a dry matter content of 18.3%.
* Protein: It is high in crude protein at 21.1%.
* Carbohydrates: The sample is very low in starch (0.10%) but contains a significant amount of sugar (8.0%). The total digestible neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) is 30.0%.
* Lignin: Lignin, an indigestible component, is low at 2.53%.
Report #2 — Value Proposition (Oct 4, 2025)
Value Proposition Report: Sprouting Gear Barley Fodder vs. Alfalfa Hay
Analysis of Sprouting Gear barley fodder as a partial replacement for alfalfa in dairy and beef cattle rations.
1. Executive Summary: This report details the value proposition of Sprouting Gear's sprouted barley fodder (Sample #9555) as a strategic supplement and partial replacement for traditional alfalfa hay in livestock diets.
Based on a comprehensive nutritional analysis, the barley fodder is an exceptionally digestible, high-energy, and high-protein feed. The key finding is that this fodder can effectively replace 25-40% of alfalfa on a dry matter basis, leading to enhanced nutritional intake and optimal rumen health. This substitution is also economically viable, as the fodder demonstrates a strong value proposition compared to current premium alfalfa market prices.
2. Nutritional Profile: A Side-by-Side Comparison The barley fodder offers a fundamentally different, and in many ways superior, nutritional profile compared to even high-quality alfalfa. All values are on a Dry Matter (DM) basis.
| Nutrient | Sprouting Gear Fodder | Premium Alfalfa Hay | Key Advantage for Fodder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Protein | 21.1% | 19–25% | On par with the best alfalfa, making it an excellent protein source. |
| ADF (Fiber) | 16.21% | ~28–35% | Exceptional Digestibility. Lower Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) means a higher percentage of the feed is converted to usable energy. |
| NDF (Fiber) | 30.0% | ~38–46% | Higher Intake Potential. Lower Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) means animals feel less “full,” potentially increasing total feed consumption. |
| Sugar (WSS) | 8.0% | ~3–7% | Rapid Energy. Provides a readily available energy source for rumen microbes and the animal. |
| Starch | 0.10% | ~3.2% | Safe Energy. Virtually no starch eliminates the risk of digestive upset associated with high-starch feeds. |
3. Enhanced Digestibility & Rumen Health: The Fermentrics analysis of the barley fodder provides scientific validation of its superior digestive properties.
• Optimal Rumen Fermentation: The fodder scored 139.50 mg/g for Microbial Biomass Production, rated as "Optimal." This is a direct measurement of how well the feed supports the growth of beneficial rumen microbes, which are the engines of digestion.
• Lack of Effective Fiber: The fodder's primary limitation is its lack of "physically effective fiber" (peNDF), the "scratch factor" needed to stimulate cud chewing and prevent acidosis. For this reason, it cannot completely replace alfalfa.
By replacing a portion of alfalfa, a producer gains the fodder's high digestibility and microbial benefits while retaining the essential fiber from the remaining hay, achieving the best of both worlds.
4. Economic Analysis & Cost Comparison (October 2025) A cost comparison based on nutritional value (cost per pound of dry matter) reveals a compelling economic case for the barley fodder.
Market Pricing:
• The market price for "Supreme and Premium" quality alfalfa hay in October 2025 is approximately $236 per ton. In key dairy states like California, prices for premium hay can average $240 to $250 per ton.
• For this analysis, we will use a conservative price of $240 per ton for premium alfalfa.
Value-Based Pricing Calculation: The true cost of a feed is in its dry matter.
Here’s how the feeds compare:
1. Cost of Alfalfa Dry Matter:
- Price: $240 per ton.
- Dry Matter: ~88%.
- Cost per ton of Alfalfa DM = $272.73 2. Value of Fodder Dry Matter: o The barley fodder is nutritionally superior on a DM basis (higher energy, lower indigestible fiber). Therefore, its DM is at least as valuable as alfalfa DM, if not more so.
2. Calculated Fodder Price:
One ton of fresh fodder contains 366 lbs of Dry Matter (2000 lbs x 18.3% DM). o At an equivalent value to alfalfa DM, this amount of nutrition is worth $50.00. o ($272.73 per ton DM / 2000 lbs) x 366 lbs DM = $50.09
Conclusion: A sale price of $50 per ton for fresh barley fodder delivers the same nutritional value as premium alfalfa hay priced at $240 per ton, making it a highly cost-effective option.
5. Final Recommendation:
Sprouting Gear's barley fodder is a high-tech, nutritionally advanced feed supplement. Partially replacing alfalfa (25-40%) offers a clear opportunity to:
- Increase Feed Digestibility and Energy Content.
- Improve Rumen Health and Microbial Growth.
- Achieve Significant Cost Savings on a Nutrient Basis. It is strongly recommended that livestock producers work with a nutritionist to precisely integrate this fodder into their rations to unlock its full performance and economic benefits.
Media Contact: info@sproutinggear.com
