hulless barley

[wilb]

Does anyone still grow hulless barley? If not, why?

[tman]

We grew hulless for a few years in a row for my brothers finisher pigs. Much better feed since most of the hulls are left in the field. But in 2005, when we were finally able to seed it, I noticed a huge difference between the hulless (can't remember what variety) and the hulled (Conlon). The hulless had a much poorer stand from start to finish. The thing I really like about barley is how competitive it can be against weeds, especially in a 30-50% seed bed utilization with a 2.5 bu/ac seeding rate. But after seeing the poor stand in 2005, I rather go with the extra hulls in the feed and manure to "guarantee" a good barley crop stand. I've been able to cut herbicide dramatically before in barley, so the cost savings there out weighs the savings in the pig feed.

[nakodo]

Hulless is not as aggressive as covered barley, you need a contract to produce it so you know what price you are selling it for to offset the issues in yield and stand (balanced by a premium price for food or other uses).

Check out Agricore for some contract programs.