Winter Barley (P919) - Beardless

Barley has relatively low water usage compared to other cover crop species, especially during earlier growth stages. Under poor fertility conditions, barley would be a good choice and can help render P & K available for your next crop. Barley provides a good feed-quality grain that can be harvested 2-3 weeks earlier than wheat, which then allows your double crop/cover to be planted sooner. Compared to oats, barley produces more tillers and vegetation that will remain erect longer after termination. Carbohydrates known as monosaccharides are excreted through the roots to feed soil biology and barley has been observed to release more monosaccharides than even alfalfa.