 |
|
|
|
|
What
is barley?
Barley is a cereal
grain. In botanical terms, barley belongs to the Poacea family, the Triticae tribe
and the Hordeum genus. All cultivated barley belongs to the Hordeum vulgare L.
genus.
^
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
Where
is barley grown in the US?
Barley is a short-season, early maturing crop grown commercially in both irrigated and in dry land environments. Because this grain adapts well to different types of environments, it is grown in many regions throughout the United States. In fact 27 states in the US grow barley to some extent. Major producing states, in descending order of production, include North Dakota, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Colorado, Wyoming, Virginia, Minnesota, Maryland, South Dakota, Oregon and Utah.
^
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
Is barley
grown in other parts of the world?
Yes. As a matter of
fact, barley is the fourth largest grain crop after wheat, rice and corn. It is
grown in many different countries throughout the world. Other major producers
include Australia, Canada, Germany, Russia and Ukraine.
^
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
How
much barley is produced in the US?
Between 1994 and 2003, US barley production averaged nearly 320 million bushels per year, with an estimated annual value of nearly $760 million as a raw agricultural commodity.
Source: National Barley Growers Association
^
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
How is
barley typically used?
Barley is used commercially for animal feed, to produce malt (an important ingredient in beer production), for seed and for human food applications. Approximately 51 percent of the barley crop consumed in the US is used for animal feed. Forty-four percent is used for malt production, 3 percent as seed and 2 percent for food products. In addition to domestic use of barley, exports of the grain averaged about $155 million for barley and its milled products, $44 million for malt and malt extracts and $269 million for beer between 1991 and 2000.
Source: National Barley Growers Association
^
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
