FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Barley, mainly used in beer and cattle feed, is finally getting some respect.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the industry’s claim that barley can reduce the risk of coronary disease, amending an earlier ruling that applied only to oats. Now, many farmers believe the distinction will lead to an increase in sales.

‘‘This could be big for barley,’’ said Mike Davis, a spokesman for the National Barley Improvement Committee, based in Milwaukee. ‘‘I also expect more research to document other potential health benefits.’’

Labels on whole barley and dry milled barley products, including flakes, grits, flour and meal, are expected to start making the claim, the Food and Drug Administration said late last month in announcing its ruling. The claim is identical to one already made on many oat products.

James Broten, who farms near Dazey, said the FDA ruling should open up overseas markets, particularly Taiwan.

‘‘They are very interested in getting barley flour into their foods,’’ Broten said. ‘‘Getting the heart healthy label should help us there right off the bat. I think a lot of the other benefits will be long term.’’

Right now, only about 4 percent of the barley produced in the United States is used in human food. The No. 1 use is for malting and brewing, followed closely by livestock feed, Davis said.

North Dakota leads the nation in barley production, harvesting about 80 million bushels last year. The state typically grows at least a third of the U.S. crop.

The National Barley Foods Council petitioned the FDA for a ruling in 2004, providing evidence from several years of clinical trials. They involved people who were on diets in which whole grain barley or dry milled barley product ingredients replaced foods made with wheat and rice.

In its ruling, the FDA said coronary heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death and permanent disability in the United States, killing an estimated 500,000 Americans a year.

The label will apply to whole grain barley, bran, flakes, grits, flour, barley meal, sieved barley meal and pearl barley. Products must have at least 0.75 grams of soluble fiber per serving to be eligible for the label.

It’s too early to put a dollar value on the FDA ruling, said Steven Edwardson, a spokesman for the North Dakota Barley Council. The FDA has said the breakfast cereal market is worth $7.1 billion a year.

In Fargo, North Dakota State University has been working on a new Institute of Barley and Malt Sciences.

The National Barley Foods Council said a unit of Cargill Inc., the Minneapolis-based agribusiness, helped underwrite the cost of the petition that led to the FDA action.