Barley is one of the first grains cultivated by humans. Evidence shows that barley has been cultivated since about 10,000 years ago, especially in Eurasia. Globally, 70% of barley production is used as animal feed, while 30% is used as a fermentable material for beer and some distilled beverages, as well as in various foods such as soups and stews and in barley bread. Barley seeds are usually used in the traditional way to prepare malt. In terms of production volume, in 2017, barley ranked fourth among cereals after corn, rice and wheat (149 million tons). Barley is very nutritious and useful for some diseases such as gout, tuberculosis, anemia and indigestion. The agriculture of Russia, America and China is based on the cultivation and production of barley.