Cutting winter barley now, nutritional value?

[HarryB97]

I have about 5 acres of winter barley that is full of blackgrass that I want to mow rather than let it seed. The barley is out in ear but no grain fill has occurred yet. What sort of nutritional value could I hope for from it? Top quality silage like grass or more gut fill?

 

[glasshouse]

I have about 5 acres of winter barley that is full of blackgrass that I want to mow rather than let it seed. The barley is out in ear but no grain fill has occurred yet. What sort of nutritional value could I hope for from it? Top quality silage like grass or more gut fill?

It will be good
Better no grain in it

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Be good stuff , starch be down a bit but protien will be higher ,

 

[Hesstondriver]

cows will lick the floor clean and no risk of Roland rat either

 

[Helpinghand]

I have about 5 acres of winter barley that is full of blackgrass that I want to mow rather than let it seed. The barley is out in ear but no grain fill has occurred yet. What sort of nutritional value could I hope for from it? Top quality silage like grass or more gut fill?

the obvious answer is after you cut it get it tested and find out

 

[Coximus]

should be similar to top quality ryegrass with a bit more protein and possibly higher ME but that depends on weather etc. Get it baled and save yourself the Blackgrass headache - its a good chance for an all round win -
Plus youve got time to broadcast in cheap black oats peas etc for a heavy protein rich silage crop in Sept, or some decent Neeps etc. COuld be your most profitable field this year.