Spring barley seed rates

[willy]

ok so I usually aim for 300plants/m2. But struggle to hit the malting spec (usually high n),

Anyway still want to put 150kgs/n on but would like to try and dilute it by upping the yield, so I am thinking of upping seedrates375 seeds/m2.

So my question is will s barley grow shorter and stand better at a higher seed rate?

 

[Will7]

No, I would suggest a higher seed rate will force the barley up leading to a taller crop. I drill at 375 and am thinking of dropping the rate this year, partially to try and help it stand better.

 

[willy]

No, I would suggest a higher seed rate will force the barley up leading to a taller crop. I drill at 375 and am thinking of dropping the rate this year, partially to try and help it stand better.

Was always told barley is the opposite to wheat with regards seed rate..but i will take your point

 

[warksfarmer]

Going to drill at 300kg/ha. Not worked out the tgw yet and not overtly bothered anyway. Ground cover for Bg control is more important.

 

[crazy_bull]

Going to drill at 300kg/ha. Not worked out the tgw yet and not overtly bothered anyway. Ground cover for Bg control is more important.

600 seeds/m2 at a 50TGW, screening levels seem to go through the roof above 400 seeds/m2, but if growing for feed screenings aren't an issue as long as kghl is 63kg+


C B

 

[Feldspar]

Have got our Propino test results back. 84% germination, 47 TGW and aiming for 300 plants / sq m established gives a seed rate of about 226 kg/ha assuming about 25% field losses.

 

[Brisel]

350 seeds/m2 has consistently been proven to be an ideal rate as a compromise. I go at 360 just for a bit of a compromise in case of a slow spring or delayed drilling. If you're no tilling then will you be patient and wait for ideal conditions even if that meant April?

 

[beefandsleep]

With winter cereals the recommended target is 300 plants per meter, as spring cereals do not tiller to the same extent it would appear to be obvious that we should aim for higher plant counts. Does anyone have a link to seedrate trials in spring barley?
@crazy_bull Where did you get the information from regarding screenings at 400 ?

 

[Feldspar]

350 seeds/m2 has consistently been proven to be an ideal rate as a compromise. I go at 360 just for a bit of a compromise in case of a slow spring or delayed drilling. If you're no tilling then will you be patient and wait for ideal conditions even if that meant April?

Haven't got any zero tilled spring barley except for one trial field into cover crop. The rest has been Terrastared or ploughed and pressed. Waiting last year didn't really help. Nearly all direct drilled spring barley was poor though.

 

[crazy_bull]

With winter cereals the recommended target is 300 plants per meter, as spring cereals do not tiller to the same extent it would appear to be obvious that we should aim for higher plant counts. Does anyone have a link to seedrate trials in spring barley?
@crazy_bull Where did you get the information from regarding screenings at 400 ?

KWS trials into higher seed rates vs screenings, will see if I can find the relevant slide (if they sent it to me).


C B

 

[7610 super q]

Going to drill at 300kg/ha. Not worked out the tgw yet and not overtly bothered anyway. Ground cover for Bg control is more important.

300kg/ ha ? That's 121kg / acre ?

I usually drill 75 kg acre.

 

[Farmer T]

Have got our Propino test results back. 84% germination, 47 TGW and aiming for 300 plants / sq m established gives a seed rate of about 226 kg/ha assuming about 25% field losses.

25% field loss?! Cricky- you putting it on with you spreader?!

 

[moretimeforgolf]

Wow, way above our usual.
Normally go at 175kg/ha. Going to up it 10% on some grassy areas. Always make good bushel weight and low screenings, as well as being competitive. All no till, with low field loses except for last year where slugs were rife after a mild winter.

 

[Feldspar]

25% field loss?! Cricky- you putting it on with you spreader?!

I think, for us at least, field losses are always higher than we optimistically expect. I have been doing ear counts for the last few years and we still are not getting anywhere near enough. May not be entirely due to seed rate, but I think it's the biggest reason. My father used to drill at 165 kg/ha whatever the weather. Have been pushing it up slowly.

 

[Flat 10]

Have got our Propino test results back. 84% germination, 47 TGW and aiming for 300 plants / sq m established gives a seed rate of about 226 kg/ha assuming about 25% field losses.

What was I on about last year?!

 

[Feldspar]

What was I on about last year?!

Well I agreed with you at the time!

 

[Flat 10]

Well I agreed with you at the time!

Fair enough. This year I'm putting 180kg N on and I'm going to get 8t/ha at sub 1.85 like the frontier man said in FW last week.
(In my dreams!)

 

[Feldspar]

Fair enough. This year I'm putting 180kg N on and I'm going to get 8t/ha at sub 1.85 like the frontier man said in FW last week.
(In my dreams!)

OK if you invest in a combine header that picks up flat crops.

 

[Flat 10]

OK if you invest in a combine header that picks up flat crops.

I think most headers will quite well, its just it takes too much time, it takes too long to dry and I'm the combine driver and I have absolutely no patience so want it all nicely stood please. Therefore I will be doing the same as I have always done.

 

[Chae1]

Drill all our spring barley at 200kg/ha seed rate.

You guys make it so complicated with tgw. Target plants sq/m etc