~ Barley Fodder ~
the Healthiest Animal Feed
'KNOWN To MANKIND'

Specialty Grains Int'l (SGI) sources premium quality grains, legumes & forages grown in the Rocky Mountain highlands and on the Northern Great Plains of the Dakotas & Minnesota.  This fertile river valley extends into the prairie provinces of Canada. 

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Between the open prairies of North Dakota and the forested lake country of northern Minnesota, lies the Red River Valley of the North - one of the most fertile farming regions on Earth.  The north flowing river valley is 550 miles long and widens from 10 to 50 miles before entering Manitoba and emptying into Lake Winnipeg and then on to Hudson Bay. The valley has some of the world's richest topsoil of organic black loam formed by glacial sediment deposits left from ancient Lake Agassiz.  Average annual rainfall of 28 inches is produced from the convergence of cool dry Canadian and humid Gulf air masses.  The valley grows a wide variety of crops including red spring wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, sunflowers, corn, soy beans, lentils and some of the highest quality malting barley in the World.             

                                                                    Red River Valley Barley Growers MN/ND                                                                     SGI Processing Site - MN  

                                                                     SGI Barley Storage - MN

Although barley is grown in warmer southern regions for feed, the best conditions for growing quality fodder/sprouting malting barley is in northern climates. The 'cooler nights' allow ripening grain to recover during hot summer 'heat stress.'  This results in higher test weight and superior plump seed development during the 'flowering cycle.'

Barley is an ancient grain grown and documented since Biblical times. As barley protein is slightly lower compared to other cereal grains, protein is enhanced in the sprouting process.  Barley has one of the most explosive germ rates of all grains and is the preferred choice for fodder/sprouting.

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SGI also sources premium barley from another prime growing area in the irrigated fertile San Luis Valley of Colorado.  At 7,600 feet, it is the highest elevation and largest commercial agricultural valley in the world.  The arid San Luis Valley is expansive and flat varying from 20 to 50 miles in width and 100 miles long from north to south. The valley sits between the Sangre de Christo and San Juan mountain ranges in southern Colorado.  This fertile highland valley is renowned for malting barley, potatoes, alfalfa & wheat along with carrots, lettuce, broccoli, canola, and cauliflower.   

                                                                      San Luis Valley CO Barley Grower                                                                      SGI Processing Site - San Luis CO SGI Barley Storage - So. Fork CO

                                                              The Best Growers in America
 

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Seed Quality is the LIFEBLOOD of Fodder/Sprouting Systems!

*** It is strongly recommended that all grains delivered to humid, high dew point climates be stored in climate controlled containers or structures to avoid grain moisture absorption which can adversely affect the germination energy and vigor of the seed for fodder systems.***

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** Customer Comments **

"I have tried other grain sources in my area with poor yields on my fodder system.  SGI puts me in contact with growers who grow the best quality I can find." M. Gingerich - TN

"I have been using organic barley sourced by SGI in my fodder system for nearly a year and have noticed my herd is more content and calm with increased milk production, butter fat and protein.  The milk has a milder sweeter taste right from the bulk tank." N. Gebhart - WI

"I was introduced to SGI over 8 years ago and have been very satisfied with growers introduced to me who provide quality grain." S. Huber - KY

"I have purchased barley from many sources for my Fodder System but "The Barley Guy" finds the best quality organic grains at the best price." A. Esh - PA

MISSION STATEMENT

Specialty Grains Int'l (SGI) is dedicated to sourcing and shipping the highest quality cereal grains, forages & legumes for producers of fodder/sprouting systems. As stewards of the Creator's precious farm lands, farmers, ranchers and hobbyists can provide on-demand, cost-effective, high quality nutrition for horses, livestock and poultry to feed the nation and the world.

SGI is built on The Foundation of: 

   Character – Honesty – Reliability – Integrity – Service - Trust         

Curtis W. Swenson is the founder and managing director of Specialty Grains Int'l.  SGI was formed in 2010 at the height of an extreme drought in Texas and other widespread areas of the U.S.  At the time, Curtis was introduced to fodder/sprouting as an alternative feed source for livestock. 

Sprouting was developed 1000's of years ago in Egypt and was reignited over 50 years ago in Australia where farmers and ranchers had experienced extended periods of severe drought.

With the high mortality of nearly one million head of livestock in Texas, and sky-rocketing feed grain and hay prices, farmers and ranchers were desperate to find other options to sustain their' livestock.

On a 2010 tour of Amish and Mennonite farms, Curtis discovered that innovative Amish dairy farmers had developed fodder systems but were being sold 'low' quality feed barley for their' systems. Sensitive to their plight, Mr. Swenson went back to his roots in the Midwest to find high quality barley sources. Curtis, grew up on a 1200 acre grain and livestock farm in the fertile Red River Valley of the North.

History of RRV Bonanza Farms  

Barley was a mainstay in the rotation of alfalfa, corn, wheat, soybeans and sunflowers on the third-generation family farm. The Swenson farm was active in the development of hybrid barley & sunflower varieties by participating in field test plots with NDSU at Fargo, ND.

Thus began the reawakening passion of a "farmboy" to build a reputation and an active business across the U.S..

Today, Curtis is known as the "Barley Guy" to the Amish and Mennonite communities throughout the country. 

SGI is a premier grain supplier to fodder producers of premier fodder equipment manufacturers in the U.S.. This insures that fodder system owners experience high yields and nutritional quality fodder/sprouts for their' horse, livestock and poultry operations.                                         "Your Success is Our Success"