Spring barley 2020

[neilo]

Trials work in spring barley has repeatedly shown 350 seeds/m2 to be the optimum for southern England sowing in March. Of course this needs tweaking for TGW, establishment rate, germination and increasing with later sowing, blackgrass pressure etc.

By my rough reckoning, that’s around 200kg/ha (ish) if 50g tgw & 90% germination? Are there any disadvantages documented from going higher, other than seed cost?

 

[warksfarmer]

By my rough reckoning, that’s around 200kg/ha (ish) if 50g tgw & 90% germination? Are there any disadvantages documented from going higher, other than seed cost?

Don’t grow it every year but when we do 600 seeds/metre2 straight off the heap.

 

[capt.spiffing]

Price is around £450/t

Buying from the wrong merchant if your paying that much!

 

[Brisel]

By my rough reckoning, that’s around 200kg/ha (ish) if 50g tgw & 90% germination? Are there any disadvantages documented from going higher, other than seed cost?

No, not really until you get over 475 seeds/m2 when the lodging risk really rises, along with lower specific weights. Higher seed rates are cheap insurance IMO, especially against later drilling dates in the spring. I've got 375 seeds/m2 in the shed ready to go as direct drilling tends to be a bit later & the wider rows warrant a bit extra too. That's 190 - 215 kg/ha depending on variety this season. I do variable rates as well in an effort to even out the crops at harvest though yield maps suggest otherwise with droughts during the growing season for the last 3 years here.

 

[JCfarmer]

Didn’t say he got 3.7tons in2018 Average of. 3.7 tons over 3years so more in 17 less in 18 more in 19 Loverly land regular muck but never before barley 250 -300 kg/ha seed combined as soon as it’s 16 even if it means leaving wheat Used to drill asap in the spring and give it the full works but thought he only got more straw and any extra barley he lost combining He thinks yields are similar from February to early April drillings

They say when you think winter barley is ready to combine go away for at least a week.
With spring barley I'm a great believer in harvesting it a week early or when you think its about ready at least before it brackles over and you lose far to many heads on the floor. A good sharp knife needed on the header, nothing worse than bulldozing on lighter ground.
The problem I have is trying to concentrate on the milling wheat and taking my eye off the barley but I would imagine milling premium could be quite high this year.

 

[CJS]

They say when you think winter barley is ready to combine go away for at least a week.
With spring barley I'm a great believer in harvesting it a week early or when you think its about ready at least before it brackles over and you lose far to many heads on the floor. A good sharp knife needed on the header, nothing worse than bulldozing on lighter ground.
The problem I have is trying to concentrate on the milling wheat and taking my eye off the barley but I would imagine milling premium could be quite high this year.

Id rather cut any wheat dry rather than barley

 

[JCfarmer]

Id rather cut any wheat dry rather than barley

I'd rather cut wheat any day full stop.

 

[TWF]

I'd rather cut wheat any day full stop.

It’s always been a weed for years here till 2013 but it slows the combine down so much just trying to separate it. Always glad to get back to wheat. ?