Organic Barley Resources

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  1. Organic Barley Production: Nutrient Efficiency and Market Opportunities
  2. Advantages of Growing Organic Barley as Grain
  3. Advantages of Growing Organic Barley for Grazing
  4. Advantages of Growing Organic Barley for Silage
  5. Overall Benefits
  6. Barley Seed Count and Weight
  7. Planting Rate
  8. Planting Depth
  9. Additional Considerations
  10. Seed Companies
  11. Organic Small Grain (wheat, oats, triticale, barley, and rye) Traders
  12. Other Resources

Organic Barley Production: Nutrient Efficiency and Market Opportunities

Organic barley is known for its versatility and nutrient efficiency, performing well under organic management without the need for synthetic inputs. Barley’s ability to improve soil nitrogen levels and its relatively short growing season make it an excellent rotation crop that enhances soil fertility and breaks disease cycles. In organic systems, barley is cultivated for food, feed, and brewing, with organic malt barley commanding a premium price in the craft beer industry. Growing organic barley not only supports sustainable agriculture but also meets the increasing consumer demand for organic beverages and whole grains, providing farmers with profitable market opportunities.

  • Food Use: Barley is used in soups, stews, and health foods like barley water and malt products. It is rich in soluble fiber, particularly beta-glucans, which have been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Barley can also be used in the production of malt for brewing beer and distilling spirits.
  • Animal Feed: Barley is a major grain in animal feed, especially for cattle and horses. It provides energy and moderate protein content, with a favorable balance of fiber that supports digestive health in ruminants. Barley’s high fiber content makes it less ideal for swine and poultry unless processed appropriately.

Advantages of Growing Organic Barley as Grain

  1. High Nutritional Value: Barley grain is rich in carbohydrates, moderate in protein, and high in dietary fiber, particularly beta-glucans, which have health benefits such as lowering cholesterol levels. It is used in human foods like soups, stews, and health cereals, and is also a key ingredient in the malting industry for brewing beer.
  2. Versatile Market Demand: Barley has a diverse market, including human food, animal feed, and malt production for brewing and distilling. Its versatility makes it a valuable crop with multiple potential income streams.
  3. Adaptability to Various Climates: Barley is adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions, including cooler and drier climates where other grains might not perform well. This makes it a suitable choice for areas with variable weather patterns.
  4. Short Growing Season: Barley has a relatively short growing season compared to other cereal crops, allowing for earlier harvests and the possibility of double-cropping. This can be advantageous in regions with shorter growing periods.
  5. Soil Improvement: Barley’s extensive root system helps improve soil structure, enhances water infiltration, and reduces soil erosion. It can also be an effective crop in rotation systems to manage pests and diseases.

Advantages of Growing Organic Barley for Grazing

  1. High-Quality Forage: Barley provides high-quality forage with good levels of protein and energy, making it suitable for grazing livestock, particularly in the early vegetative stages when the foliage is tender and nutrient-rich.
  2. Early Grazing Option: Barley can be planted in the fall or early spring and used for grazing earlier than many other forage crops, helping to extend the grazing season and reduce feed costs.
  3. Rapid Growth and Regrowth: Barley’s rapid growth rate allows for multiple grazing cycles when managed properly, supporting continuous forage availability for livestock. It can be an excellent part of rotational grazing systems.
  4. Tolerance to Salinity: Barley is relatively tolerant to saline soils, which can make it a preferred option for grazing in areas where soil salinity might limit other forage choices.

Advantages of Growing Organic Barley for Silage

  1. Balanced Nutritional Profile: Barley silage offers a good balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fibers, making it a valuable feed for dairy cattle, beef cattle, and other ruminants. Its high energy content supports milk production and animal growth.
  2. High Biomass Yield: Barley produces significant biomass, making it a productive silage crop. The high yield per acre helps meet the forage needs of livestock operations efficiently.
  3. Improved Digestibility: Barley silage is highly digestible, which enhances nutrient uptake and feed efficiency in livestock. This makes it particularly valuable for high-performance animals such as dairy cows.
  4. Early Harvest and Flexibility: Harvesting barley for silage can occur earlier in the growing season, freeing up fields for subsequent planting or cover cropping. This flexibility supports diverse cropping systems and maximizes land use.

Overall Benefits

  • Weed Suppression and Soil Health: Barley’s vigorous growth can suppress weeds effectively, reducing the need for herbicides. Its role in crop rotations helps manage soil health by breaking pest cycles and improving organic matter content.
  • Disease and Pest Management: Barley is generally less susceptible to certain diseases and pests compared to wheat, reducing reliance on chemical controls and supporting integrated pest management strategies.
  • Cost-Effective Production: Barley typically requires fewer inputs like fertilizers and water compared to some other grains, particularly in drought-prone or low-fertility soils. This can make it a more economical choice for growers.

Barley Seed Count and Weight

  • Seeds per Pound: Barley typically has between 12,000 to 15,000 seeds per pound, with a common average around 13,500 seeds per pound. This can vary based on the variety and seed size.

Planting Rate

  • Typical Planting Rate: The standard seeding rate for barley is generally 80 to 100 pounds per acre. This equates to approximately 1.0 to 1.5 million seeds per acre, depending on the specific seed count and germination rates.
  • Range of Planting Rates:
    • For Grain Production: Seeding rates typically range from 70 to 90 pounds per acre.
    • For Forage or Cover Crop Use: Higher seeding rates, ranging from 100 to 120 pounds per acre, are often used to ensure dense forage stands or effective ground cover for soil protection.
    • Under Dryland Conditions: Lower seeding rates of around 60 to 80 pounds per acre may be used to reduce competition for moisture.

Planting Depth

  • Optimal Depth: Barley should be planted at a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Depth considerations include:
    • 1 to 1.5 inches is typical in most conditions, providing a balance of good emergence and root establishment.
    • 2 inches may be necessary in dry conditions to ensure seeds are placed in moist soil.
  • Depth Considerations: Shallow planting (less than 1 inch) can lead to poor root anchorage and exposure to environmental stress, while planting too deep (greater than 2 inches) can result in delayed emergence and weaker seedlings.

Additional Considerations

  • Soil Temperature: Barley can be planted in cool soils, with optimal germination temperatures ranging from 45°F to 86°F (7°C to 30°C). Barley is relatively tolerant of cooler soil temperatures, making it suitable for early spring planting.
  • Row Spacing: Typical row spacing for barley ranges from 6 to 8 inches. Narrower row spacing helps improve canopy closure, which can aid in weed suppression and optimize water use efficiency.
  • Uses: Barley is used for grain (human consumption, malting, and animal feed), forage, and as a cover crop. As a cover crop, barley helps improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and capture residual soil nutrients.

Seed Companies

Organic farmers are required to purchase organic seed when it is available, but for many crops, organic seed options are limited or unavailable. Many seed companies offer both organic and non-organic seed, and it’s essential for farmers to understand that non-organic seed can be used on certified organic farms as long as it is non-GMO and untreated. Farmers should always verify seed sourcing requirements with their organic certifier to ensure compliance while balancing the need for high-quality planting seed.

Turner Seed Company

Albert Lea Seeds (Organic Varieties)

Limagrain Cereal Seeds

Trical Superior Forage

Organic Small Grain (wheat, oats, triticale, barley, and rye) Traders

Here is a list of potential organic commodity buyers (based on organic certification) who have historically engaged in the organic grain market. While these companies have shown interest in organic commodities, it’s important to note that their purchasing activities can vary based on market conditions, demand, and availability. I encourage you to contact them directly to inquire about their current buying needs and contract opportunities, as their purchasing intentions may change over time.

Barton Springs Mill, Inc.

Pink Rose Organix

Caprock Enterprises LLC

  • Beau Brown
  • 1301 E 5th
  • Plainview, Texas 79072
  • PO Box 53538, Lubbock, Texas 79453
  • 806-798-8900
  • beau@lonestarcom.org

Commodity Brokerage Services LLC

Coyote Creek Organic Feed Mill & Farm

Deaf Smith County Grain

Enger Farms, LLC

Lone Star Commodities, Ltd.

McDowell Feed Source

Muleshoe Specialty Grain, LLC

New Deal Grain Inc

TIERRA MANNA TRADING

Triple Nickel, Inc.

  • Kayla Nickels
  • 808 W 19th St
  • Muleshoe, Texas 79347
  • Triple Nickel East
  • 413 East American Blvd.
  • Muleshoe, TX 79347
  • (806) 272-7500
  • Triple Nickel West
  • 1680 CR 1044
  • Muleshoe, Texas 79347
  • (806) 272-5589
  • kayla@cknickels.com
  • https://cknickels.com/

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Author: Bob Whitney

Extension Organic Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

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