This study was conducted to evaluate effects of infrared irradiation for 60, 90, 120 and 150 s on starch ruminal degradability and chemical composition of barley grain. Three ruminally fistulated rams were used to measure in sacco degradation. There was a linear increase on DM chemical compositions irradiated barley grain (P<0.05). Infrared irradiation decreased potentially degradable fraction and constant degradation rate of starch (P<0.001). Effective ruminal degradability of starch for irradiated barley grain decreased linearly (P<0.001) as irradiation time increased until 90. It was concluded that infrared irradiation for 90 s could decrease starch degradability of barley, a benefit characteristic of barley feeding in ruminant nutrition.

Key words: Barley grain, infrared irradiation, ruminal degradation, sheep, starch.