Part 1, Section 7: Small Grains
OTHER SMALL GRAINS
Spring Barley
Recent varieties such as Benefit, Bailey, Stephen, and Ontario have performed satisfactorily in Pennsylvania. Refer to performance information from Cornell University (http://smallgrains.cit.cornell.edu/testing.html) for information on these and other varieties. The desired plant population for spring barley is 1.2 to 1.5 million per acre (28 to 34 plants/sq ft). This requires a seeding rate of approximately 96 pounds per acre. The seeding rate should be based on the number of seeds per acre rather than pounds per acre. Refer to Table 1.7-3 when estimating the approximate seeding rate for various drill row spacings. Follow the spring oat recommendations for all other management requirements.
Spring Wheat
No varieties recommended. Refer to performance information from Cornell University (http://smallgrains.cit.cornell.edu/testing.html) for information on spring wheat varieties. Yields and test weights are often low.
Buckwheat
Varieties
Generally, buckwheat is grown under contract and varieties are specified by the processor. Current varieties available include Koto, Manisoba, Manor, and Keukett, along with common buckwheat.
Buckwheat is adapted to central and northern Pennsylvania where summer nights are cool. Buckwheat requires approximately 1,300 GDDs (86/50) to mature from planting to harvest. Optimum sowing dates for buckwheat are generally about 12 weeks prior to the first frost, or late June to early July in many areas.
Plant at 0.5 to 1 inch deep and sow at 40 to 55 pounds per acre.
Nutritional Requirements
Ideally, maintain a pH between 6.0 and 6.5, but buckwheat can tolerate more acidic soils and produce reasonable yields at pH 5.5 to 6.0. Typical nutrient requirements are minimal for buckwheat with no fertilizer required on many high testing soils. On lower testing soils, 15 to 20 pounds of N, 25 to 30 pounds of P2O5 and 0 to 20 pounds of K2O can be applied.
Plan to harvest when three-quarters of the seeds are ripe (brown and hard). Windrowing for 7 to 10 days prior to harvest can decrease shattering losses and increase yields.
Yields of 20 to 30 bushels per acre are possible.
Winter Oats
No varieties recommended. Winter survival erratic.
Winter Rye
Rye is a very adaptable and winter hardy grain that is rarely grown for grain in Pennsylvania. It can be planted from September to December and still produce straw and grain. Winter varieties cannot be planted in spring and harvested for grain or straw. Earlier planting generally results in higher yields. Rye is frequently grown as a cover crop, for forage or for straw. Typical seeding rates for rye are 2 bushels per acre (112 pounds/acre), increasing to 2.5 bushels per acres for late seeding. Fertilizer requirements are similar to wheat, with recommended N rates of 50 to 90 pounds of N per acre, depending on yield potential. Rates near the upper end of this range may result in lodging if harvested for grain.
Winter Triticale
Not recommended for grain because of limited market. Can be used for forage production. It can be cut about two weeks later than rye for forage chopping. Varieties are generally taller and higher yielding than wheat.
Spelt
A limited market exists for spelt, either for feed or as a substitute for wheat in some food products. Spelt is a relative of wheat. The growth habit is similar to soft red winter wheat and the hulls remain on the grain and comprise 20 to 30 percent of the grain weight. The nutritional value is similar to oats. Seed similarly as winter wheat at a seeding rate of 80 to 100 pounds per acre. Fertilize similar to winter wheat. Herbicides are generally not labeled for spelt, so manage to create a dense stand that competes with the weeds. Expect yields in the range of 2,500 to 3,000 pounds per acre.