To determine when barley is ripe for harvest, farmers should consider several factors, including plant maturity, grain moisture content, and weather conditions. Here are some key indicators to look for:
Plant maturity: The spikes (heads) of the barley plant should be a golden color and nodding downwards. As the plant loses moisture, the spikes will nod further down. Once the heads are completely fallen over, the plant has lost as much internal moisture as it can in the field, and it is time to harvest.
Grain moisture content: The moisture content of the grain should be below 13% before harvesting. This is to prevent the grain from becoming vulnerable to sprouting and other quality issues.
Weather conditions: The weather should be dry during harvest to prevent the grain from gaining further moisture. Harvesting should be done when the weather is favorable to minimize the risk of damage to the grain.
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Additionally, there are two common methods for harvesting barley: straight-cutting and swathing.
Straight-cutting is the preferred method for malting barley because it is a one-pass system and reduces the risk of ground moisture damage.
Swathing is an alternative method, but it poses risks, such as pre-harvest sprouting and damage to grain quality. Swaths should be on the ground for no longer than 6 days to avoid peeling or cracked kernels.
In summary, to tell when barley is ripe for harvest, farmers should look for golden-colored nodding spikes, a moisture content below 13%, and favorable weather conditions. They should also choose the appropriate harvesting method based on their specific needs and conditions.
