Winter Barley

Growing the crop & wildlife conservation

Sowing:
We sow in September

Fertiliser:
We apply nitrogen, potassium, phosphate and sulphur in the spring. Manganese is applied in the autumn

Weed control:
One herbicide in the autumn, and sometimes a second one in the spring

Insect pest & control:
Aphids that can spread a virus are controlled using a seed dressing or an autumn insecticide

Disease control:
A seed dressing and one or two fungicides applied during the spring

Threats to the crop:

• Our sandy soils do not hold water well, so drought is a major threat
• Grazing by rabbits and wintering geese can be a problem
• High rainfall or severe hail storms at or near harvest are threats, though rarely have a significant impact

What helps:

• Warm weather after sowing helps the crop get established
• Autumn frosts kill aphids and reduce the need to spray an insecticide
• A warm spring gets the crop growing early
• Spring and summer rain helps increase yield

Wildlife conservation:

• Conservation headlands
• Over-winter stubbles
• Skylark plots