Crop production Barley Barley - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Crop productionBarley

2. BarleyBarley is a member of the Gramineae family.In Ireland Barley is grown in two formsFeeding barley is used as an animal feed.Malting barley is used for malting and brewing alcohol.Barley is easily distinguished from other cereals by the awns present on the grain

3. Classification of BarleyBarley is classified as six-row or two-row which describes the physical arrangement of the kernel (seed) in the plantAnother way of classifying them describes the beards or awns covering the kernelsSeed/kernel Awns

4. Cereal IdentificationWheatOatsBarley

5. Feeding BarleyFeeding barley is suitable for all livestock. The grain from the barley is used for animal feedBarley straw can be fed but has a low feeding value. It is mostly used for animal beddingFeeding Barley will grow on a wide range of soils as long as it has good drainage and a pH greater than 6.0.

6. Malting BarleyMalting Barley is used in the brewing and distilling industries (grown on contract for Guinness & Murphy).It is grown only on very good soils: with the clay rich grey-brown podzolic soil being the best as it retains moisture for proper ripening but the crop also requires dry soil conditions in summer for harvest. It is confined mainly to South Dublin, Meath, Kilkenny, Carlow and Cork. The soil for this crop is usually a medium loam with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5

7. Malting barley

8. Spring Barley VarietiesAll are two row varieties. For feeding barley the most commonly sown varieties are Triumph, Fleet, Klaxon & Beatrice.For malting barley Triumph, Grit and Emma are common varieties. Not fully frost resistantSown in SpringShorter growing season and lower yieldHarvested from August onwards

9. Winter Barley VarietiesWinter barley can be either two or six row varieties.Igri and Panda are well known two row varieties sown in the winter. They make up 98% of all winter barley sown. Gerbel, Jaidor and Olympic are example of six row varieties sown in the winter.

10. Winter Barley VarietiesSown form mid-September to early NovemberCan survive winter frostsReach grass corn stage (8-10cm) before winterLonger growing season and greater yieldHarvested mid-July onwards

11. Advantages of Winter varieties over Spring See previous notes from principles of crop production

12. Suitability of seedsSeed variety are chosen by farmers for the following characteristicsYieldStrength of strawShortness of strawEarliness of ripeningDisease resistance

13. Cultivation of BarleySoil suitabilityBest suited to well drained, deep sandy loam soils or brown earthsThe ideal pH for barley is 6.5Climate Warm temperatures are needed for barley growthDry conditions are needed for sowing and harvesting, but moisture is important as drought leads to a lower yield and poorer grain quality

14. Cultivation of BarleyPreparation of seedbedLand should be ploughed to a depth of 12 – 20 cm, harrowed and seed sown For spring barley the soil may also be rolled after sowing for good soil–seed contactTime, rate and method of sowing1 October is the optimum date for sowing winter barley; spring barley is sown between February and April Barley is sown with a combine drill at the rate of 200kg/ha. This sows seed and fertiliser at the same time

15. Combine Drill

16. FertilisersThe main fertilisers used in barley production are CAN,10-10-20 and 18-6-12. Application rates:Kg/haNPKWinter barley1503070Spring barley1202555

17. TilleringTillering is the ability of cereals and grasses to form auxiliary or side shoots from the main shoot. The main shoot produces a number of side roots/tillers, each of which develops its own root system & grows into a mature plant while still attached to the main root. These grasses have short stems but can develop flowering shoots. Tillering can be enhanced by a series of shocks to the plant such as frost or sheep grazing. Additional Phosphorous also initiates tillering.

18. LodgingIs the collapse of all or part of the crop caused by wet & windy weather conditions and too much nitrogen use or weak varieties.The stem can no longer support the head and it falls over.Causes a reduction in yield.

19. Diseases, Pests and Weed ControlRhynchosporium (leaf blotch)Fungal diseaseCauses loss of yield and decrease in grain qualityIdentified by diamond shaped chlorotic blue-grey patchesCan be controlled by spraying fungicide twice a season

20. Diseases of barleyPowdery mildewFungal diseaseForms grey-white patches on the leaves of the plantCauses a loss of yield in the cropShould be treated by spraying a fungicide

21. Diseases, Pests and Weed ControlLeaf rustAlso called brown rustFungal diseaseForms orange-brown circular spores on leaf surfacesCauses premature death of leaves and loss of yieldCan be controlled with fungicide spray

22. Diseases of BarleyBarley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV)Viral disease transmitted by aphidsLeaves turn bright yellow and yield is reducedCan be controlled with an aphicide during the growing season

23. PestsWirewormsLarvae of click beetleYellow-orange in colourWhen larvae hatch they feed on seeds, roots and stemsCause yield reduction in cropBarley should not be grown after grass in rotation to reduce risk of infestation

24. Pests of BarleyLeatherjacketsLarvae of crane flyEat roots and underground stems of plantsCan be controlled by spraying crop with a pesticide

25. Weed Control and RotationWeed controlUse selective herbicides to control weeds in cropCrop should be sprayed at three to five leaf stage to successfully control weedsCrop rotation and stubble cleaning can also control weedsRotationBarley gives higher yields when grown in rotationIt is not seriously affected by pests and diseases, but can be affected if grown after grass

26. Harvesting BarleyWinter barley is harvested in July, spring barley in AugustBarley is harvested with a combine harvester.When the crop is ripe the ear bends over and lies parallel to the stemThe straw will be dead, dry and bleached in colourThe grain will be hard and dryThe moisture levels should be about 14 – 16%The harvester cuts the crop and separates the grain from the straw.The grain is transferred into a trailer and brought to merchant or to storageThe straw is bailed into square or round bails

27. Combine Harvester

28. YieldBarley yield and harvest dates:CropTonnes/haHarvest dateWinter barley7–9JulySpring barley6–7August

29. StorageGrain is stored in a shed or silo which is free form vermin, insects and birdsIt must be water and frost proofA moisture content of 14% or less is required for storage as this prevents sprouting, fungal growth and reduced respiration in the seedDrying: If grain has too high of moisture, some farmers may have to dry the grain using gas or oil burners. Pickling: Feeding barley can be stored at a moisture content of 20% where propionic or sulfuric acid is added, this prevents microbial growth and pests.

30. Storage continuedAeration: grain of 20% moisture or less can be protected by passing dry air through the pile or bin with ducts and fansCanning: this uses special sealed, steel walled tower silos where the oxygen is sealed out. Anaerobic conditions prevent microorganisms .

31. Grain Quality Tests1. Hand TestThe appearance, smell and feel of grain samples can be readily assessed and quality determined.2 . Moisture TestGrain drying is very expensive.Daily testing is done with a moisture meter which is standardised and set by comparing with samples dried in a special Brabender oven

32. Brabender oven

33. Tests continued3. Screenings TestThis measures the % sample that passes through a 2.5mm sieveThis indicates the amount of light grains and chaff. Chaff is the seed coverings and other debris separated from the seed in threshing grain.4. Protein TestIf grain is to be used for malt (malting) of beer or spirits, the crude protein % must be below 11.5%However for flour milling or animal feeding, a higher protein % is an advantageCrude protein is measured by protein meters.Protein meters are set and calibrated by reference to the standard chemical method known as the Kjeldahl method.