Low-phytate barley feeding trial in Vietnam

Approximately 21 metric tonnes of low-phytate barley was shipped Vietnam
where it will be field tested.

The barley was donated by the Idaho Barley
Commission and the Council arranged for payment of ocean freight.

The
low-phytate barley will be studied in relation to its use as feed for Catfish
Tra, which is one of the major fish grown in Vietnam, popular for human
consumption.

Approximately 70% of the phosphorous in conventional barley
exists in the form of phytate which cannot be readily digested by monogastric
animals such as fish.

50% reduction in phytate
The
new low-phytate barley known as Clearwater has a 50% reduction in phytate,
according to research conducted by USDA’s National Small Grains Germplasm
Research Facility in Aberdeen, Idaho.

Catfish Tra feed currently consists
of primarily soybean meal, wheat by-products, fish meal and rice by-products and
others.

With increasing US barley production, availability for barley
export will logically increase as well, which is the rationale for the Idaho
Barley Commission donating the low-phytate barley.

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