https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/agronomia <p>The Journal of the Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad del Zulia is a publication of the Agronomic Research Institute of the Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad del Zulia, published since 1968 and is supported by the Universidad del Zulia, in order to disseminate the results of researchers Venezuelans and other parts of the world, related to the agricultural field. The Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ) publishes four issues per year, i. e., every three months, under continuous publication format (rolling pass). , with original and unpublished scientific articles, technical notes, review articles, quick communications, extensive summaries of congresses and scientific meetings related to the agricultural area for the consideration of the Editorial Committee. The journal publishes research products of high scientific quality and promotes the exchange of publications and scientific activity at the agricultural level, in the areas of Plant Production, Animal Production, Food Technology and Socioeconomics. The topics included in these areas are: agrosystem management, environment, agricultural biotechnology, meat science, milk science, rural development, agricultural economics, agricultural entomology, fertilizers, post-harvest physiology, plant physiology, physiology and animal reproduction, pastures and forages, animal and plant genetics and improvement, weeds, animal nutrition, plant pathology, agri-food safety, agri-food systems and soils.</p> en-US agrorevistaluz@gmail.com (Jorge Vilchez Perozo) asistencia@serbi.luz.edu.ve (RevicyhLUZ) Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:47:38 +0000 OJS 3.1.2.4 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/agronomia/article/view/45341 <p>This study explores the potential of hydroponic barley as an innovative feed strategy to address shortages in intensive livestock production, with a focus on small-scale landless farms. Twelve three-parous Normande cows, averaging 717 ± 34 kg, were allocated into two homogeneous groups based on body weight, calving date, and previous lactation performance. Both groups received identical total mixed rations (TMR), while the experimental group was supplemented with 10 kg of hydroponic barley per cow per day. Over the lactation period, cows in the experimental group exhibited higher daily dry matter intake (20.62 ± 1.21 vs. 19.13 ± 1.14 kg.d^-1) and milk production (22.17 vs. 18.91 kg.d^-1), resulting in a 17.25 % increase in total lactation yield (6,760.80 vs. 5,765.68 kg). Feed efficiency improved by 9.09 %, and milk composition analysis revealed elevated fat (40.13–42.49 g.kg^-1) and protein (32.21–34.87 g.kg^-1) concentrations. Daily fat and protein yields were also significantly higher in the experimental group (942 and 758.06 g.d^-1, respectively) compared to the control (777.76 and 609.09 g.d^-1). No significant differences were observed in body weight or body condition score between groups. These results suggest that hydroponic barley supplementation can enhance both milk yield and quality by improving nutrient intake and digestibility. However, to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these benefits, further investigations are needed to assess its effects on rumen metabolism and gut microbiota. Overall, this study highlighted the practical potential of hydroponic barley as a sustainable, high-value feed supplement in modern dairy systems.</p> Abdenour Bir, Aissa Meredef, Mohamed Benidir, Charef Eddine Moufok Copyright (c) 2026 Abdenour Bir, Aissa Meredef, Mohamed Benidir, Charef Eddine Moufok https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/agronomia/article/view/45341 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000