OTHER GRAINS AND OILSEEDS OF INTEREST
Barley is a short-season, early maturing small grain crop grown commercially in both irrigated and in dry land environments. Because this grain adapts well to different types of environments, it is grown in many regions throughout the United States, but North Dakota produces more than any other state.
Barley is used commercially for animal feed, to produce malt (an important ingredient in beer production), for seed and for human food applications. Approximately 51 percent of the barley crop consumed in the US is used for animal feed. Forty-four percent is used for malt production, 3 percent as seed and 2 percent for food products.
Source: National Barley Growers Association
Oil Sunflowers are produced and then crushed for their oil. Sunflower oil is light in taste and appearance and supplies more Vitamin E than any other vegetable oil. It is a combination of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats with low saturated fat levels. Sunflower oil is valued for its light taste, frying performance and health benefits. There are three types of sunflower oil available; NuSun, linoleic and high oleic sunflower oil.
High oleic sunflower oil is above 82 percent oleic (monounsaturated) acid. Read more about fatty acid profiles sunflower oil, a healthy choice for use in your diet.
NuSun™ is a mid-range oleic (monounsaturated) sunflower oil. It needs no hydrogenation and has a 9 percent saturated fat level. NuSun™ is extremely functional for frying applications and has a good balance of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that enhances the taste of products. Visit the NuSun™ section on our web site to learn more about this outstanding sunflower oil.
Source: National Sunflower Association
Confection sunflower seeds are normally black with white stripes and approximately five eighths of an inch long. The heavy hull accounts for approximately half the weight of the seed and is loosely fixed to the kernel inside. Seed size is primarily affected by plant genetics, but also to planting density and weather.
Sunflower seeds are graded according to size and separated into groups. The largest size will go into the in-shell market. The medium-sized seeds are usually hulled for the kernel market. The smallest size will go into the bird and pet feeding market.
Source: National Sunflower Association
Organic Rye is a cereal grain that is used in the baking industry to mainly make bread. Rye bread, including pumpernickel, is a popular food in Northern and Eastern Europe. Rye is also used to make crisp bread. Rye flour has a large amount of gliadin, but not as much glutenin as wheat flour, therefore it has a lower gluten content than wheat flour, and consists of a higher portion of soluble fiber.
Other uses of rye include rye whiskey and an alternative medicine known as rye extract. Rye straw is used to make corn dollies.
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