ProteinBar is a collaborative project along the grain value chain in Norway to ensure a better utilization of domestically produced barley for animal feed. Through adaptation of sensor technologies, split fertilization strategies and breeding of new barley varieties we aim to increase the protein content of barley. High protein barley will be tested in feeding trials and possible solutions for a differentiated pricing system of barley according to protein content will be explored.
We make use of various sensor technologies to gain insight into the interactions between soil variation, nutrient uptake and remobilization of nitrogen in the barley plants during the field season. Multispectral drone images capture the growth, development and nitrogen status, and these data are coupled with variation in soil properties measured with soil sensors to explain differences in plant available nitrogen. Two master's theses related to this work were submitted in June 2025. They showed that sensors measuring the soil's nitrate-N content correlate poorly with laboratory measurements of nitrate in soil samples throughout the growing season. On the other hand, the multispectral drone images, handheld N sensor data, and soil sensor data for temperature, humidity, and conductivity correlate significantly better with soil nitrate content. New measurements were taken during the 2025 growing season and the results will be compiled in a scientific publication in the spring of 2026.
In the 2023, 2024 and 2025 seasons we have conducted field trials with 20 historical barley varieties at Vollebekk in Ås with two N-fertilization levels: 90 and 140 kg N/ha. Multispectral drone images during the season, measurements with hand-held N-sensor and chemical analysis of flag leaf samples at anthesis have given new and interesting information about the plants’ nitrogen uptake. There is a clear tendency of improved nitrogen uptake and utilization in modern varieties compared to those cultivated 30-40 years ago. For the genetic studies we use similar methodology in field trials with 250 barley varieties and breeding liens conducted at Søråsjordet by NMBU and at Bjørke by Graminor in the years 2024 and 2025. Genotype data with SNP markers are being used for mapping the main genetic loci behind protein content and grain yield for barley grown under Norwegian conditions. This will provide the basis for developing selection tools that can be used for breeding new barley varieties with improved nitrogen use efficiency and higher protein content.
Nitrogen fertilization should be tailored to the soil N content, the needs of the plants, and adjusted according to soil variations, weather conditions, developmental stage and expected yield and protein content. In the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, different split fertilization strategies were tested in two barley varieties in trials conducted by NIBIO at Apelsvoll, by NLR units and at NMBU. The variety Annika was used in all three years, while Ismena was replaced with Torgeir in 2025. Biomass was measured in all seasons with handheld N-sensor and multispectral drone images. At selected growth stages, representative biomass samples were taken as a reference for the spectral surveys. Summaries of the weekly measurements with the handheld N sensor were published as weekly updates on N uptake in barley at the various trial locations throughout the three years. Together, the results will form the basis for new, updated, site-specific recommendations on fertilization strategies for barley.
New feed formulas that can increase the utilization of Norwegian high-protein barley in the feed concentrates for ruminants and monogastric animals will be developed together with the feed industry. In 2024, the chemical content and amino acid composition of 16 selected samples harvested in 2023 were analysed. The analyses were followed up in 2025 with corresponding analyses of 18 new samples from the 2024 season. In addition, in vitro digestibility tests were carried out on the samples from 2023 to determine the utilizable crude protein (uCP). These results were summarized in a bachelor's thesis in spring 2025. In August 2025, a batch of Torgeir barley with high protein content was harvested for use in feeding trials with pigs in the winter of 2025/2026.
A project web page has been established at NMBU, and we have made a ProteinBar logo for use in dissemination activities. Information about the project is also available at the kornforum.no web page. The project was presented at ‘Kornkonferansen 2023’, and dialogues with precision-minded barley growers were conducted at the Yara N-sensor meetings in 2023 and 2025. During the 2023 and 2024 field seasons the project was presented at field days arranged by NMBU, NIBIO and NLR. Newsletters in June with weekly updates from the N-sensor measurements in the split fertilization trials were disseminated by NLR and Yara in the years 2023, 2024 and 2025.
The animal production in Norway has become more specialized with increased demands for the nutritional composition of the feed concentrates, and especially protein content. More and more protein-rich feed ingredients like rapeseed cake and soybean meal are being imported at the expense of the domestically produced feed grains, which are low in protein content and considered mostly as a carbohydrate source. However, there is a great potential to increase the protein content of Norwegian feed grains, both short-term through optimized nitrogen fertilization and long-term through breeding of high protein content cultivars.
With focus on barley, the largest feed grain in Norway, we will engage with central actors in the grain and feed industry from farmers and the agricultural extension service to the feed producers and plant breeders to develop targeted production technologies for increasing the protein production and ensuring a better utilization of the domestically produced feed grains. The latest sensor technologies in precision agriculture and smart farming will be used to generate new knowledge about the link between soil variability, nutrient uptake and nitrogen remobilization in the plants during the growing season. Targeted split nitrogen fertilization regimes will be developed that can be applied by the farmers to optimize both yield and protein content in barley. Genetic studies will be performed, and tools developed for the breeding of barley cultivars with increased nitrogen use efficiency and protein content. Moreover, new feed formulas will be developed to increase the utilization of domestic barley in the feed concentrates for ruminant and monogastric animals. We will also interact with the industry and policy makers to come up with a differentiated pricing system to stimulate increased protein production based on Norwegian feed barley. Overall, the project will contribute to a more profitable, sustainable and self-sufficient Norwegian agriculture.
