Now is the time to consider your options for barley varieties and plan for September or October barley planting if any of these strategies make sense for the fields you are working with. In the Mid-Atlantic and some regions of the Northeast, winter barley can be grown for high-quality fodder (barley haylage, barleyage). The following are some possible rotational feeding options and ways to incorporate barley: Barley can be planted in September following the removal of early corn silage OR after a summer annual forage. At the boot stage, harvest the barley for high moisture grain (harvesting approximately one week ahead of time) OR harvest for barley grain.
Barley crop rotation: Corn can still be harvested after it in the spring at boot stage for use as fodder. We can double crop when the grain is harvested at the high moisture stage by planting soybeans after it. We can also plant a summer annual sorghum-Sudan grass or Sudan grass or forage sorghum after it is harvested, using either of these summer annual options as fodder. Rather than use dry straw as bedding, barley high moisture grain combined with early cut straw can be fed.
In our longer season growing areas (South-eastern PA and to the south) we can consider a short season corn for grain or silage, and no-till barley after the corn in late September/early October.
To improve yield and feed value, think about planting barley alongside crimson clover, just like we did for forage. Red clover can be over-seeded, or frost-seeded, with winter barley. Red clover will grow after the grain is harvested, and its first cutting will resemble “stubble hay” with some barley stubble mixed in. Following another cutting, either let the clover overwinter as a legume cover crop for corn the following year, or harvest it in the spring to make hay or haylage. It may be appropriate to grow winter barley for grain in fields with shallower soils where drought stress affects corn yield.
Harvesting barley grains in the summer can also generate some cash flow. For beef or dairy rations, think about using barley as a partial corn substitute to extend the shelf life of purchased corn grain. Barley grain is higher in fiber and contains roughly 95% of the energy of corn. Barley grain should be rolled or ground for optimal use in dairy cows’ rumen. For calf grains intended to be a “textured feed” or non-lactating diets, coarse grinding may make sense; however, fine grinding is ideal for storage in the grain bin and feeding in dairy rations.
When grain is rolled or coarsely ground, it exits the rumen more quickly, without being fermented—that is, broken down and digested—and we lose the energy value that we had intended for our diet. For non-lactating diets or calf grains intended as a “textured feed,” coarse processing might make sense; however, finely ground barley is preferred for dairy rations. Protein ranges in barley grains can range from 7 to 13 percent, depending on growth conditions and nitrogen application. However, barley usually has a higher protein content than most other grains.
The amount of protein in barley grain can range from 7 to 13 percent, depending on the growth environment and amount of nitrogen applied. However, barley usually has a higher protein content than most other grains.
The innovative farming system that does not involve livestock makes malting winter barley a crucial part of barley crop rotation. Because of its high nutritional content and low requirements for soil quality, barley is a good fit for organic farming systems. Barley presents benefits for organic farming due to its lower nitrogen requirements in comparison to other crops. The ideal range for the protein content of barley seed is 10.5–12.0%, with a maximum of 12% required to produce high-quality malt.
Barley also offers extra advantages in organic farming systems because it establishes quickly in the fall and has the ability to outcompete weeds for effective weed control. Barley-affecting insects and diseases can be efficiently controlled in a region by using integrated pest management techniques. Its robust autumnal development and early maturation offer a great defence against spring and early summer droughts, ensuring more stable yields during dry years.
In organic farming systems, the importance of nitrogen cannot be emphasized enough, especially when considering models without livestock. In order to maximize nutrient uptake, support crop growth, and increase overall productivity, nitrogen is essential. The fact that there are limited supplies of nitrogen and that they must be used wisely should not be overlooked. Farmers can optimize nitrogen utilization, reduce waste, and ensure sustainable agricultural practices by implementing meticulous management practices. For organic farming systems to remain healthy and productive over the long term, this thoughtful approach to nitrogen management is essential.
The ultimate goal of aiming for self-reliance and minimizing reliance on external nitrogen inputs is to maximize the economic and sustainable utilization of mineralized nitrogen, which calls for meticulous planning of crop sequencing. Farmers are able to take advantage of the nitrogen released from the mineralization of organic matter and crop residues by carefully planning the Barley crop rotation. By lowering input costs and promoting greater self-sufficiency in nitrogen management, this methodical approach not only improves the farming system’s long-term ecological balance but also adds to its economic viability.
The best way to maximize the amount of nitrogen available during the growing season is to plan your crop sequence so that high-demanding crops, like wheat, are planted after legumes that fix nitrogen, like peas or alfalfa/clover. These leguminous crops work in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to enrich and add value to the soil by converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms that plants can use.
Sunflower, taking advantage of its exceptional qualities, is added to the rotation as the third crop after winter wheat. Sunflowers have an excellent root system that reaches deep into the soil to scavenge and extract available nitrogen and other essential nutrients, especially from deeper soil layers. The deliberate incorporation of sunflower improves the farming system’s overall nutrient cycle and nutrient utilization.
In addition to deliberately upsetting the natural weed development cycle, alternating sunflower with wheat—a crop sown in the winter and spring—targets weed species connected to winter cereals, like wild mustard. This deliberate rotation design promotes sustainable weed management techniques while successfully inhibiting weed growth. Consequently, there is a notable decrease in weed accumulation and overall weed pressure, which helps to maintain nitrogen balance and lower field weediness. Reduced weed competition allows the crop to fully utilize the nitrogen resources available, which optimizes yield and growth potential.