Chinese scientists decide to develop a genetically modified (GM) feed barley that could help improve the nutritional value of livestock feed and reduce pollution.

The barley has now entered pre-production field trials.It's different from other GM food. The GM feed barley produces seeds containing high levels of an enzyme called phytase. It can help livestock to digest the important nutritional element found in barley and soy feeds.
In fact livestock such as pigs lack sufficient phytase in their digestive tract to absorb enough phosphorus. This means large amounts of phosphorus are released into the environment through animal waste. 

As a result, farmers add phytase to animal feed to help livestock digest phosphorus. The enzyme is a product of fermentation by microorganisms, a process which has high production costs. But after the invention of GM feed barley, the problem of high cost for farmers and the difficult digesting for animals will be solved.