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Barley

Grass

Barley Seed

Image Source: 1

Barley Plant

Image Source: 2

Estimated Cost

$0.27

($/lb)

Planting Window

Fall seeded, spring seeded

Best for

Erosion control

Alternate Species

Annual Rye, Winter Oats, Wheat, Triticale

1. Tom Lawler 2021, Indigo Agriculture.

2. © UVM Extension NW Crops & Soils Program 2020, CC-BY-ND-4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/> via https://covercrop.tools/images/Cover%20Crop%20Photos/Barley,%20Spring/Barley_flowering_Brouillette_2020.jpg

Seeding Detail

Barley

Drilled Seeding Rate (lbs/ac)

68.0

Aerial Seeding Rate (lbs/ac)

101.0

Broadcast Seeding Rate (lbs/ac)

81.0

Additional Information

Why We Recommend This

Barley can be grown almost anywhere in the United States and can help rehabilitate weedy, eroded or depleted fields. It produces biomass faster than any other grass cover crop, outcompetes weeds, reduces erosion, scavenges N, P, and K, and can suppress pests like leafhoppers, aphids, armyworms and nematodes. Barley is well suited for no-till and can tolerate drought.


 Things to Watch Out For

Barley does not do well in waterlogged soils and does not overwinter as consistently as other grasses

Neither Indigo nor any of its affiliates makes any representations, warranties or guarantees as to any specific results or outcomes, including, without limitation, with respect to soil health outcomes or any minimum amount of greenhouse gasses sequestered or number of carbon credits generated. Participation in Carbon by Indigo is subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the program contained in the applicable enrollment agreement. Any payments under Carbon by Indigo are subject to multi-year vesting and are contingent on continued long-term maintenance of regenerative agricultural practices and soil carbon levels. All Carbon Credits generated are subject to buffer pool holdbacks required by third-party crediting; participants will not receive payments for such holdback. Not available in all areas.

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