1. The first requirement in the production of any crop is to see that soil conditions are as close to the optimum as possible. Barley prefers well-drained soils, light to medium in texture with a high pH

BARLEY
1. The first requirement in the production of any crop is to see that soil conditions are as close to the optimum as possible. Barley prefers well-drained soils, light to medium in texture with a high pH. When fertility is high and weather conditions high yielding crops of good quality are obtained. When pH values are recorded below 6.0, it would be wise to lime specifically for this crop and it should be worked into the topsoil in advance of sowing. Since the grain yield with barley is likely to be higher than with oats and due to its better feeding value, it has replaced the traditional oat crop on many dairy farms in Britain. As long as the pH is over 6 and the soil is in reasonable conditions, there is no reason why this crop cannot be grown on most soils in Britain, one notable exception being the wet soils associated with upland conditions.
2. When barley is grown in the wetter areas of Britain, it does best when the rainfall is below normal and when sunshine are higher than usual. Kramer reviewed the effect of climate on this crop through data Zealand. Their results suggest that low rainfall in April and early May and cool weather in May, is required for high yields. High rainfall in the previous winter appeared detrimental and warm dry weather was required during ripening.
3. Winter barley is often sown after easily harvested sugar beet on the lighter soils, since seed – beds can often be easily and quickly prepared for sowing in October and November. With large acreage of arable land in cereals, many crops of winter barley will go in after spring cereals, but it would be unwise to grow winter barley following winter barley due to the increased disease risks involved. Spring barley may follow almost any other crop provided the land is not in too high a state of fertility otherwise wide – spread lodging can result.