How to Harvest Barley

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Barley is a common grain used for malting and cereal. Barley only takes a few months to grow and is easy to harvest once the growing season is over. Whether you're growing a large or small crop, you can dry, clean, and store barley with ease!

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Collecting the Grain

PDF download Download Article
  1. It takes around 2 months for barley to grow large enough to harvest and have the largest yield of grains. When the stalks turn completely yellow, the moisture levels in the barley are lower and they are easier to cut down. [1]
    • Spring barley grown in the Northern Hemisphere is typically harvested in July or August while winter barley is harvested in the April or May.
    • The moisture level of the barley should be less than 18 percent. Moisture levels can be determined by measuring the barley’s weight or by using an electronic moisture meter. [2]
  2. Have a firm grip on your tool. Swing the sharp edge of the blade as close to the ground as you can to cut down the entire stalk. Work from one side of the barley crop to the other in large swinging motions. [3]
    • Hold the top of the grain with your non-dominant hand while you use a sickle with your dominant hand.
    • Use caution when you use a scythe or sickle since they are very sharp.
    • Take your time as you use a scythe or sickle since it could strain your arms and back.
    Advertisement
  3. Start in the early morning when there is more moisture in the stalks since this will prevent breakage. Set the combine reel to the lowest setting using the buttons on the gear shift so you are able to collect the whole stalk [4] . Push the throttle forward to move forward through your crops. [5]
    • Combines are available to rent from farm equipment and large machinery stores. Consult with who you’re renting from for any additional instructions.
    • Work from one side of the field to the other in rows so you can collect all the barley you’ve planted. Slightly overlap the rows you’ve already worked on so you don’t miss any of your barley.
  4. Use pieces of straw or hay to make small bundles that are 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter around the center. Lean 6 to 12 bundles against one another so they can dry and aerate in the field. [6]
    • Upright bundles of grains left to dry are known as “stooks.”
    • Drying the barley will prevent diseases and rot once they are stored.
    • If there is rain in the forecast, cover your stooks with tarps to prevent them from getting wet.
    5. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Threshing and Winnowing the Barley

PDF download Download Article
  1. Make sure the tarp covers the entire area where you plan to thresh so you don’t lose any of the grains. Keep the tarp flat so you have the maximum amount of floor coverage. [7]
    • A bedsheet will work as a substitute if you do not already have a tarp.
    • Work outdoors so there is a breeze. This helps blow away chaff that’s still attached to the grain. If you have to work indoors, open a window or door to make sure it’s ventilated.
  2. After 2 to 3 weeks have passed, the barley should be dried out and have a low enough moisture content for you to thresh the grains. Take all of the bundles to the area you’ve prepared. [8]
  3. Hit the end of the stalk with the grain pods with enough force to break the grains off. Use controlled swings with bat so the grains fall onto the tarp and prevent any crop loss. This process is known as threshing. [9]
    • Threshing machines will do this process for you if you have access to one and will work much faster for larger crops. They can be rented from farm equipment or large machinery stores.
  4. Bring the 4 corners of the tarp to the middle so all the barley moves to the center. Pick up the tarp by the corners and slowly pour the barley into a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket. [10]
  5. Hold the bucket 1 foot (0.30 m) above the other and slowly pour the barley. Wind will blow any residual chaff left on the grains as you pour. Repeat pouring the barley back and forth 6 to 10 times. This process is known as winnowing. [11]
    • If you’re working in an enclosed space, use a fan pointed at the buckets to blow away any chaff.
    6. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Storing Barley

PDF download Download Article
  1. Vacuum any old grains and dirt at the bottom and in the corners of the grain bin. Use dish soap to wash the sides and bottom of the grain bin you’re using and dry it thoroughly. [12]
    • Grain bins can range from large silo-like structures to drum barrels.
    • Use food-grade drum liner bags if you don’t want to disinfect the grain bin.
    • Large silos can be cleaned using a broom and a large vacuum on the floor. You can also hire a professional service to clean your silos for you.
  2. Use a natural insecticide so the barley isn’t contaminated with chemicals. Coat each wall of the grain bin with the insecticide to get the maximum coverage. [13]
    • Use products like neem oil or an EcoSmart spray solution.
    • You can make your own insecticide with chili powder, dish soap, or garlic.
    • Inspect the barley every 2 or 3 weeks for infestation, especially if the weather is warm.
    • Spray all of the interior and exterior walls of a silo-sized grain bin using a large sprayer.
  3. If temperatures are higher, there is more chance for mold and infestation to occur on your grains. Keep the bins in a warm, dry area with consistent temperatures to keep the barley in the best conditions. [14]
    • Barley can last for a few years if it is stored properly.
    • Keep an aeration fan running in a large silo to keep temperatures down.
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      Things You’ll Need

      Collecting the Grain

      • Scythe or sickle for small crops
      • Combine for large crops
      • Straw

      Threshing and Cleaning

      • Tarp or bedsheet
      • Bat or stick
      • 2 large buckets

      Storing the Barley

      • Grain bin or a drum barrel
      • Insecticide

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Plant a Plum Seed
      A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Rice
      How to
      Drive a Tractor
      How to
      Make Silage
      How to
      Grow Truffles
      How to
      Start a Farm
      How to
      Start a Dairy Farm
      How to
      Become a Farmer Without Experience
      How to
      Grow Kefir Grains
      How to
      Grow Peanuts
      How to
      Harvest Sugar Cane
      How to
      Plant & Grow Millet: At Home or As a Crop
      How to
      Drive a Farm Tractor
      How to
      Build a Headache Rack
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://cereals.ahdb.org.uk/media/186381/g67-barley-growth-guide.pdf
      2. ↑ http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/step-by-step-production/postharvest/milling/milling-and-quality/measuring-moisture-content-in-milling
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/QFlu3le6Hqo?t=26s
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/_4aNHy_NSqs?t=44s
      5. ↑ http://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu/publications/factsheets/factsheet82.pdf
      6. ↑ https://michaelbunker.com/harvesting-wheat-by-hand/
      7. ↑ https://survivalblog.com/how-to-winnow-de-hull-and-clea/
      8. ↑ https://survivalblog.com/how-to-winnow-de-hull-and-clea/
      9. ↑ https://survivalblog.com/how-to-winnow-de-hull-and-clea/
      1. ↑ https://survivalblog.com/how-to-winnow-de-hull-and-clea/
      2. ↑ https://survivalblog.com/how-to-winnow-de-hull-and-clea/
      3. ↑ http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/crop1256#8
      4. ↑ http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/crop1256#8
      5. ↑ http://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu/publications/factsheets/factsheet82.pdf

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 47,792 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement