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    GrassLopata

    Winter Barley

    Ideal for suppressing weeds when planted at heavier seeding rates

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    Winter Barley cover crop seed is an upright, cool season annual cereal grain known for its quick growth and low water use. Winter Barley cover crop seed is often used on soils where reclamation and/or rapid soil recovery is the goal.

     

    CHARACTERISTICS:

    Non-Forage Benefits:
    1 = Poor; 5 = Excellent

    Compaction Alleviation: 1
    Weed Suppression: 4
    Biomass Production: 5
    Erosion Control: 4
    Disease/Pest Control: 3
    Pollinator/Beneficials: 2
    P & K Cycling: 3
    Ease of Establishment: 4

    Nitrogen Fixer/Scavenger: Scavenger

    Nutritional Value:
    Values Vary Greatly Depending on Maturity

    Crude Protein: 9
    NEL¹ Mcal/lb.: .57
    ADF%²: 37
    NDF%³: 65
    TDN: 57
    DM Tons/Acre: 3-4
    Days to First Harvest: Spring
    Days to Next Harvest: –

    ¹- Net Energy for Lactation = Energy available after subtracting digestive and metabolic losses
    ²- Acid Detergent Fiber = Low values mean more digestible
    ³- Neutral Detergent Fiber = Low values mean cows can eat more

    Ranking (Good, Better, Best):
    Graze: Better
    Baleage: Good
    Chop: Best

     

     

    SEEDING:

    Planting Time:
    Aug.-Oct.

    Seeding Rate:
    Mono (lbs./acre): 30-50
    Mix (lbs./acre): 20-40
    Forage (lbs./acre): 80-120
    Aerial (lbs./acre): 20-60

    Seeding Info:
    Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio (C:N): Vegetative- 20:1
    Seeding Depth (in./with drill): 3/4-1
    Seeds/lb.: 14-16,000
    Bulk Density (lbs./ft.³): 40
    Aerial Application Rate: 20-60
    Germination Soil Temp.: 38 F
    USDA Hardiness Zone: 6
    Days to Emergence: 6-8

     

     

    MANAGEMENT:

    Considerations

      • Prefers pH 6.0 – 8.5
      • Inconsistent at overwintering versus other winter small grains
      • Avoid seeding in cold, damp soils
      • Winter barley is the most susceptible to winterkill of the cereal grains. Consideration should be made when grazing late into the fall. Barley’s value as a silage crop is the most comparable to whole-plant corn (90-100%).

    Fertility
    Fertilizer removal rates need to be considered as well. When utilizing cover crops as forage, it’s critical to consider the nutrients being removed along with the biomass. These fertilizer levels will need to be added to ensure maximum nutrient availability for the following cash crop.

    Hay Production
    Hay yields often average between 2-4 tons/acre. Moisture content should be between 15-20% moisture. Hay quality is more maturity-dependent at harvest than is silage.

    The most efficient time to harvest small grain cereals for hay is at early-milk stage. This allows for the greatest compromise between forage yield and quality (quality would be greatest at the late-boot stage). To help speed up drying, a crimper is recommended when harvesting in the late-boot stage

    Silage Production
    Wheat, barley, oat and triticale silage yields are similar, 4-7 tons/acre of 35% dry matter forage in the boot stage and closer to 6-10 tons/acre when harvested in the late-boot stage. Small grains should be ensiled at between 62–68% moisture. Chop length should be set finer than when harvesting corn or forage sorghum.

    (Kansas State University)

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    • Drought-tolerant; low water use
    • Ideal for suppressing weeds when planted at heavier seeding rates
    • Captures excessive nutrients left from cash crops
    • Silage value resembles whole-plant corn silage
    • Reduces some pests in fruit and vegetable crops
    • Known suppression to root knot nematode
    • Fall forage option (best use –fall pasture, silage and hay)
    • Best Use: Fall Pasture; Silage & Hay (boot to dough stage)