Increasing the Feed Values of Barley, Vetch, and Safflower Mixtures in Hydroponic Fodder Systems

Abstract Cool-climate grains have been germinated under controlled climatic conditions and used in feeding animals for many years. This study was conducted to determine the effect of adding different amounts of vetch and safflower seeds to barley seed in fresh green feed machines and administering liquid fertilizer (LF) through irrigation water on feed values. Mixtures were prepared by adding vetch and safflower to barley at ratios of 10, 20, and 30%. Dry matter (DM) losses were observed in all mixtures. The use of LF reduced the loss of crude protein (CP) in 100% barley and the 70% barley + 30% vetch mixture. However, the CP yield increased in 90% barley + 10% vetch mixture. A 10% increase was observed in ether extract (EE) yield in 80% barley + 20% vetch mixture with LF application. An increase of 60.3–143.7% in acid detergent fiber values was observed in all mixtures. Neutral detergent fiber yields decreased by 17.8–45.9%, and ash loss was observed to be higher in all mixtures compared to that in seeds. All mixtures exhibited an increase in total carotene, except for the mixtures of 90% barley + 10% vetch and 70% barley + 30% vetch with LF. An increase in vitamin E values was observed in 100% barley group with or without LF, and in 90% barley+10% vetch and 90% barley + 10% safflower groups compared to those in the seeds. The addition of up to 30% vetch to the barley and the use of LF were more effective in terms of reducing nutrient losses than other mixtures. In addition, we concluded that the use of LF had a positive effect and that the feed values of the seeds could be increased using this production system.