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

Introduction Cereals grown in Ireland include tillage crops like Barley, Wheat, Oats as well as various grassland species. Cereals grown in Ireland include tillage crops like Barley, Wheat, Oats as well as various grassland species. The South East of Ireland is considered an excellent area for tillage due to high levels of sunshine and good loam soils. The South East of Ireland is considered an excellent area for tillage due to high levels of sunshine and good loam soils.

Barley Barley is the fourth most commonly grown cereal in the world. Barley is the fourth most commonly grown cereal in the world. It is used as feeding barley and for malting. It is used as feeding barley and for malting. The quality of malting barley must be higher than that of feeding barley so more care, skill and experience is required when growing it. The quality of malting barley must be higher than that of feeding barley so more care, skill and experience is required when growing it. Malting barley is usually grown on contract to the large breweries and distilleries. Malting barley is usually grown on contract to the large breweries and distilleries.

Feeding Barley Before the barley is fed to the animals, it should be crushed. There are a number of methods. The diagram shows the rate of ruminant digestion of various grain foods. Steam rolled barley is one of the best feeds.

Soil Suitability The best soils for malting barley are MEDIUM LOAMS. The best soils for malting barley are MEDIUM LOAMS. Grown in Wexford and Louth (on brown Earths) and the midlands (on Grey Brown Podzolics) Grown in Wexford and Louth (on brown Earths) and the midlands (on 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 soil is too acidic. Lime may need to be added if the soil is too acidic.

Place in Rotation Barley can be grown continuously. Barley can be grown continuously. Barley does however give higher yields when grown in rotation. Barley does however give higher yields when grown in rotation. When growing after a ley (a short term area of grassland), pests can be a problem, and best results come in the second year of growing. When growing after a ley (a short term area of grassland), pests can be a problem, and best results come in the second year of growing. After a root crop the soil can become quite compacted and more cultivation may be required. After a root crop the soil can become quite compacted and more cultivation may be required.

Mineral Requirements Soil testing is required to find the nutritionist needed in the soil. Soil testing is required to find the nutritionist needed in the soil. Generally speaking 20 –25 kg of P (per hectare) and 40 – 45 kg of K are required for average soils. Generally speaking 20 –25 kg of P (per hectare) and 40 – 45 kg of K are required for average soils. The level of nitrogen needed depends on the type of soil and on the previous crop. The level of nitrogen needed depends on the type of soil and on the previous crop. Too much nitrogen will cause Lodging and will raise the levels of protein in the barley, thus making it unsuitable for malting. Too much nitrogen will cause Lodging and will raise the levels of protein in the barley, thus making it unsuitable for malting. All N should be applied at sowing. All N should be applied at sowing.

Varieties Dep. Of Ag publishes a list of recommended varieties each year. Dep. Of Ag publishes a list of recommended varieties each year. Winter barley: Winter barley can be either two or six row varieties (rows of seed on the head) (four row no longer being used). Winter barley can be either two or six row varieties (rows of seed on the head) (four row no longer being used). Camion, Saffron, Boost, Amarena and Spectrum were recommended in 2009 by the Department of Agriculture. Camion, Saffron, Boost, Amarena and Spectrum were recommended in 2009 by the Department of Agriculture. These varieties are tested in Teagasc centres around the country for three years before recommendation. These varieties are tested in Teagasc centres around the country for three years before recommendation.