Slide 1

Ag Science Cereal Production

Barley Part 1

Copyright © Mr H Jones

St Columba’s College,

Dublin 16

For non-commercial purposes only….. Enjoy!Comments/suggestions please to the SLSS Agricultural

Science website forum

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IntroductionIntroduction

Cereals grown in Ireland include Cereals grown in Ireland include

tillage crops like Barley, Wheat, tillage crops like Barley, Wheat,

Oats as well as various grassland Oats as well as various grassland

species.species.

The South East of Ireland is The South East of Ireland is

considered an excellent area for considered an excellent area for

tillage due to high levels of tillage due to high levels of

sunshine and good loam soils.sunshine and good loam soils.

BarleyBarley Barley is the fourth most commonly grown Barley is the fourth most commonly grown

cereal in the world.cereal in the world.

It is used as It is used as feeding barleyfeeding barley and for and for

maltingmalting..

The quality of malting barley must be The quality of malting barley must be

higher than that of feeding barley so more higher than that of feeding barley so more

care, skill and experience is required when care, skill and experience is required when

growing it.growing it.

Malting barley is usually grown on contract Malting barley is usually grown on contract

to the large breweries and distilleries.to the large breweries and distilleries.

Feeding BarleyFeeding Barley Before the barley is Before the barley is

fed to the animals, fed to the animals, it should be it should be crushed.crushed.

There are a number There are a number of methods.of methods.

The diagram shows The diagram shows the rate of ruminant the rate of ruminant digestion of various digestion of various grain foods.grain foods.

Steam rolled barley Steam rolled barley is one of the best is one of the best feeds.feeds.

Soil SuitabilitySoil Suitability

The best soils for malting barley are The best soils for malting barley are

MEDIUM LOAMSMEDIUM LOAMS..

Grown in Wexford and Louth (on Grown in Wexford and Louth (on

brown Earths) and the midlands (on brown Earths) and the midlands (on

Grey Brown Podzolics)Grey Brown Podzolics)

Barley needs a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Barley needs a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.

Lime may need to be added if the Lime may need to be added if the

soil is too acidic.soil is too acidic.

Place in RotationPlace in Rotation Barley can be grown continuously.Barley can be grown continuously. Barley does however give higher Barley does however give higher

yields when grown in rotation.yields when grown in rotation. When growing after a ley (a short When growing after a ley (a short

term area of grassland), pests can be term area of grassland), pests can be a problem, and best results come in a problem, and best results come in the second year of growing.the second year of growing.

After a root crop the soil can become After a root crop the soil can become quite compacted and more quite compacted and more cultivation may be required.cultivation may be required.

Mineral RequirementsMineral Requirements Soil testing is required to find the Soil testing is required to find the

nutritionist needed in the soil.nutritionist needed in the soil. Generally speaking 20 –25 kg of P (per Generally speaking 20 –25 kg of P (per

hectare) and 40 – 45 kg of K are required hectare) and 40 – 45 kg of K are required for average soils.for average soils.

The level of nitrogen needed depends on The level of nitrogen needed depends on the type of soil and on the previous crop.the type of soil and on the previous crop.

Too much nitrogen will cause Too much nitrogen will cause LLodgingodging and will raise the levels of protein in the and will raise the levels of protein in the barley, thus making it unsuitable for barley, thus making it unsuitable for malting.malting.

All N should be applied at sowing.All N should be applied at sowing.

VarietiesVarieties Dep. Of Ag publishes a list of Dep. Of Ag publishes a list of

recommended varieties each year.recommended varieties each year.

Winter barley:Winter barley: Winter barley can be either two or six row Winter barley can be either two or six row

varieties (rows of seed on the head) (four varieties (rows of seed on the head) (four row no longer being used).row no longer being used).

Camion, Saffron, Boost, Amarena and Camion, Saffron, Boost, Amarena and Spectrum were recommended in 2009 by Spectrum were recommended in 2009 by the Department of Agriculture.the Department of Agriculture.

These varieties are tested in Teagasc These varieties are tested in Teagasc centres around the country for three years centres around the country for three years before recommendation.before recommendation.