General Comments

Spring barley will grow rapidly in late summer and continue until a hard freeze.  It does not typically not over-winter in Wisconsin.  Barley is a good choice if fall-harvested forage is the main goal.  It is more tolerant of temporary dry conditions than legumes.

Oats and barley have had equal yields in fall forage trials of 1-3 tons of dry matter per acre

Planting specifications

Seeding rate: Seed all at 40-60 lbs per-acre for a cover crop only, 75-100 lbs per-acre for forage.

Seeding depth: Drill 1-2” deep or broadcast and lightly till-in.

Fertility needs: 40-60 lbs N, and if for forage, 20 lbs P₂O₅ and 90 lbs K₂O.

Management and termination

None needed, will winter kill

In a cover crop mix

After wheat:  Barley can be mixed with any of the brassica or legume cover crops.  Cut seeding rate by 1/3 in mixes.