New variety of barley to help environment

Scientists at the USDA Agricultural Research Service have developed a new kind of barley that is easier for single-stomached animals to digest. Conventional barleys contain a type of phosphorus that these animals’ digestive systems cannot process, and that usually ends up seeping into groundwater from their manure. The new barley, called ‘Clearwater’, was produced with “conventional plant-breeding procedures to chemically tweak seeds' phosphorus makeup,” according to the report. The yields from Clearwater are comparable with other barleys, and the market for its use for feeding fish is growing. Full story: USDA