Drilling spring barley early may need different husbandry

Difficulties planting winter crops due to the wet autumn could prompt a rush of interest from farmers in England in early planting of spring barley this season.

But if doing this, growers must assess whether they need to modify the crop’s husbandry accordingly, the company’s barley specialist, Charlie Siggs, points out.

“Normally the optimum time for drilling spring barley in England is around January to March,” explains Mr Siggs. “However we’re expecting more interest than usual in drilling before Christmas this year.

“If you are drilling spring barley early, factors to consider include being prepared for higher disease pressure, since the crop will be exposed to disease earlier, and checking chosen varieties are suited to an early drilling slot. Also, check seed rates and fertiliser use according to planting date, and avoid planting too early. Higher weed and lodging pressures also can’t be ruled out.”

Because temperatures can be slightly warmer in November than December, Mr Siggs suggests drilling in November may allow spring barley crops to grow too proud over the winter, so December in England could be the preferred option of the two.

“Because of the greater disease risk, another idea is to look for varieties with better Rhynchosporium resistance. If you’re growing for domestic or export brewing markets, the popular malting varieties Propino and Quench are clear options from this viewpoint. Both are classed as having good suitability for early drilling,” he adds.

Looking at seed rates, Siggs says these will be dependent on soil conditions at the time of drilling. A guideline of 325 seeds per square metre is in place for Propino and Quench if drilled in good conditions in December or January in England, but higher seed rates may be needed in more difficult environments, he notes, in case of increased plant losses from winter kill.

“Fertiliser use may also need adapting. Nitrogen applications for spring barley in England can normally be 50% applied at growth stage 11 and the remaining 50% applied 10 to 14 days later.

“But with NVZ restrictions these timings may not be possible. So nitrogen use may need to be similar to that for winter malting barley – for example with applications delayed until nearer the spring. As usual, residual soil nitrogen levels, together with grain nitrogen requirements of the malting barley contract, should also be taken into account.”

With crops in the ground for longer, Siggs says it will also be important to prevent disease getting a foothold throughout the year. “A three-spray fungicide programme may be needed – beginning in March with a T0 treatment to clean up Rhynchosporium and mildew, and following up with a long-lasting fungicide, such as Bontima, to maintain protection at the key timings of T1 and T2.

“Equally, autumn and winter-germinating weeds, such as black-grass, could also be a greater threat in early drilled crops. There are limited herbicide options in spring barley. But Axial can be used post-emergence against black-grass in the crop as part of an integrated programme, as well as against rye-grass and wild oats.”

With increased lodging pressures, growers should also consider growing varieties with good lodging resistance, and a growth regulator to improve straw strength, Mr Siggs adds.