nutrition

The Nutritional Science

“The desirable nutritional changes that occur during sprouting are mainly due to the breakdown of complex compounds into a more simple form, transformation into essential constituents, and breakdown of nutritionally undesirable constituents.”

“The metabolic activity of resting seeds increases as soon as they are hydrated during soaking. Complex biochemical changes occur during hydration and subsequent sprouting. The reserve chemical constituents, such as protein, starch and lipids, are broken down by enzymes into simple compounds that are used to make new compounds.”

“Sprouting grains causes increased activities of hydrolytic enzymes, improvements in the contents of total proteins, fat, certain essential amino acids, total sugars, B-group vitamins, and a decrease in dry matter, starch and anti-nutrients. Improvements in amino acid composition, B-group vitamins, sugars, protein and starch digestibilities, and decrease in phytates and protease inhibitors are the metabolic effects of the sprouting process.”
Chavan and Kadam (1989)
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Nutrition

FODDERsolutions barley grass is organically grown and harvested at the time when the blades contain the peak spectrum of nutrients.

Barley grass is considered the most nutritional of the green grasses containing an abundance of nutrients unsurpassed by any other type of grass. The benefits of fresh green feed such as barley grass have been well documented over the past 50 years. Typical rations of barley grass vary from 50% to 75% of the total ration (by weight) which varies from 2.5% to 5% of the body weight of a specific animal.

Barley grass has shown to increase the overall health of the animal through better digestion of the hay and grain. While overall wellness is the most noted result, studies indicate improved performance results in other areas as well. Not only will animals be healthier but also they will experience:

Greater energy and vitality
Stimulates the immune response
Reduction in antinutritional factors
Antioxidant properties

Independent research studies have been conducted by qualified academic institutes that prove the value of using barley grass. These studies show that barley grass is both beneficial to livestock and cost effective as a substitute for the traditional fodder supplements.

Nutritional Benefits

There are many benefits to be found from using fresh "Dr Green" barley grass that has been organically-hydroponically grown.
These benefits include:

Improved feed quality
System produces the cleanest feeds possible
No pesticides or herbicides
No dirt in the food supply
Products can be certified organic
Longer shelf life for sprouts

Hydroponically grown barley grass (blade, root and seed structure) offers:

Fresh green product year round (critical in “dry” months)
Digestive enzymes
Rich energy value

High nutrient value and a good source of:

Protein
Amino acids
Essential vitamins/minerals

Hygienic and free of:

Dust (aids in preventing respiratory diseases)
Agriculturally related contaminants.

A recent study showed that 8.75% of Barley Fodder provided the following recomended daily amount (RDA) of nutrients for a 500kg horse:

	Units	Actual Requirement	8.75kg of Barley Fodder	% of RDA
DE	MJ/kg	85	82.69	97%
Protein	g/day	865	780.41	90%
Lysine	g/day	33	25.81	78%
Calcium	g/day	41	49	120%
Phosphorus	g/day	27	30.63	113%
Magnesium	g/day	17	19.25	113%
Sodium	g/day	15	10.94	73%
Potassium	g/day	177	124.25	70%
Selenium	Mg/day	2	1.89	95%
Copper	Mg/day	120	140.18	117%
Zinc	Mg/day	450	498.75	111%
Manganese	Mg/day	450	665	148%
Iron	Mg/day	500	1522.5	305%

Analysis - Dr Green	on dry weight basis

Nutrient	Units	Results
Crude Protein	%	20.2
Fat	%	4.3
Crude fibre	%	11.3
Starch	%	15.4
Metabolizable Energy (Ruminants)	MJ/kg	12.1

Minerals
Calcium	%	0.15
Potassium	%	0.7
Magnesium	%	0.24
Phosphorus	%	0.46
Sulphur	%	0.28

Boron	mg/kg	22
Copper	mg/kg	11
Iron	mg/kg	160
Manganese	mg/kg	37
Zinc	mg/kg	40