Yes, barley is a cereal grain which contains approximately 12 to 14 percent protein and is similar in energy to corn. Barley ferments rapidly in the rumen, however. Feeders should take time to gradually adapt cattle to barley before feeding large quantities. The hull of the barley kernel is difficult for bacterial or mammalian enzymes to ferment or digest. Therefore, barley should be processed, or coarsely rolled, prior to feeding.