Selecting forages with increased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility has been hypothesized to increase dry matter intake (DMI) in ruminants, but this hypothesis has not being tested using barley (Hordeum vulgare) silage. The objective of this study was to compare the total-tract NDF digestibility of different barley silage varieties selected for increased in vitro NDF degradability at 30 h using rumen cannulated sheep. Nine cannulated wethers in a triplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design were fed a 50:50 barley silage: concentrate pellet ration on a dry matter (DM) basis. Varieties of barley silage ensiled and fed included; CDC Cowboy, CDC Copeland, and Xena, based on selection for high, intermediate, and low NDF degradability, respectively. Of the 7 ensiled barley varieties tested, NDF degradability after 30 h incubation in an ANKOM fiber analyzer, CDC Cowboy had the highest NDF degradability at 34.2% of DM, CDC Copeland and Xena were selected based on their intermediate and lower degradability of 28.3% and 26.2%, respectively (P < 0.05). Lambs were fed ad libitum during a 12 d adaptation period. On d 12–14, lambs were restricted to 95% intake during which ruminal pH was recorded over 48 h using rumen pH loggers set to record pH every minute. On d 18, lambs were restricted to 90% intake, and housed in metabolic crates for total fecal collection over 4 d. Data were analyzed using the Proc Mixed procedure of SAS as a triplicate Latin square with day as a repeated measure within period. Lambs fed Xena had higher (P < 0.01) DMI (773 g/d) as compared with those fed Cowboy (667 g/d), both of which did not differ from Copeland (714 g/d). Digestibility of DM was greater (P < 0.05) for Copeland (69.3%) than Cowboy (65.6%) both of which did not differ from Xena (67.5%). Ruminal pH was reported as mean, max, min, and time < 5.8. Treatment did not affect mean, max, or min pH (P > 0.05), but time pH < 5.8 was longer (P < 0.05) for Xena, 301 min/d, than Cowboy, 123 min/d. Based on DM digestion and intake it can be inferred that selecting varieties based on improved in vitro NDF degradability does not improve DMI or total-tract digestibility of barley silage in sheep.