When one contemplates the use of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), thoughts typically turn to beer making or livestock feed; not pet food. However, this grain may have a number of beneficial places in pet food diets and shouldn’t be summarily dismissed.
Barley is the sixth largest cultivated grain in the world. It is grown throughout much of the northwestern U.S. and western Canada. Likewise, in Europe, barley grows in the northern latitudes and higher elevations. Spring and winter types are available. In North America, two key varieties are grown: 2 row and 6 row; however, only 2 row varieties are grown in Europe. Premiums are paid for malting quality barley intended for the brewing industry. Malting is the process of germinating, then drying the barley to produce high levels of α-amylase. The α-amylase enzyme is important for the breakdown of starch during brewing. Because only a fraction of the barley produced meets these very high standards, there is usually a constant and abundant supply of feed/food barley available.
