Barley is a major cereal crop used primarily in malt production and animal feed.
While a small portion is used in the beer industry, the majority of barley is utilized as livestock feed.
Although its protein content and quality are not particularly high, barley protein contains higher levels of lysine, tryptophan, and cystine compared to corn.

Barley can be used in the diets of all livestock species but is especially suitable for ruminant animals.
When fed to ruminants other than sheep and goats, the grain should be coarsely crushed or cracked.
Otherwise, a significant portion may pass through the digestive system undigested and be excreted in feces.