The benefits of winter barley as a catch crop

This year you have to grow a catch crop on sandy and loess soil after consumption potatoes and maize. When harvested after October 1, winter barley is an interesting option. The nitrogen reduction has a limited effect on winter barley.

With a crop requirement of 180 kg N/ha and a usage standard of 140 kg N/ha, winter barley brings leeway in the fertilization plan when the potatoes are harvested after 1 October. You can also specify winter barley as your main crop for the coming year. With the cultivation of winter barley you also comply with the obligation in the CAP of growing a dormant crop.

This also applies to corn. If you grow winter barley as the main crop after silage maize, you can sow it no later than October 31 instead of October 1 at the latest.

In addition to this interpretation of the regulations, growing winter barley has the following advantages:

• The harvest already takes place at the beginning of July, which provides spreading of the harvest and ample opportunity for subsequent cultivation;
• Winter barley can withstand drought relatively well, so that the yield potential is also high on light soils;
• The cultivation requires little input from crop protection;
• The latest LG varieties have a high yield potential and natural resistance to the yellowing virus.

Virus-resistant winter barley the norm
Nowadays, the choice for a virus-resistant winter barley is the norm throughout the Netherlands. In recent years, we have also seen infestation of the dwarf yellowing virus in the north. With the resistant varieties LG Zebra (feed barley) and the new breed LG Zelda (malting barley) you play it safe. LG Zelda also has the unique combination of virus resistance and brewing quality.

yellowing virus
At the moment we see yellowing virus in winter wheat in various places in the country. Due to the warm weather in October, sowing was done early, which promotes the prevention of the yellowing virus. It is therefore a misconception that the yellowing virus in grains no longer exists. So choose virus-resistant varieties of winter barley, because with a susceptible variety you miss 30% yield. Incidentally, for winter wheat it is still advisable not to sow it too early.

Want to know more?

• View all catch crops in our GLB cultivation guide >
• Positive cultivation experience with Zebra winter barley >

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