Crop Identification help

[Blunderbuss]

'Scuse my agricultural ignorance, but how do you (simply) tell the difference between wheat and barley? This website tells me that this is wheat:

 

 

and this is barley:

 

 

They look pretty similar to me?

Edited July 19, 2009 by Blunderbuss

[Baldrick]

The variety of wheat shown in your first photos is Durum wheat, which is the only variety of wheat now grown in the UK that features long 'awns', the feathery spines protruding from each grain. Durum wheat is not common on UK soils. Barley's longer awns and the sagging ear/head of grain (when the plant is reaching maturity) make it instantly recognisable. You can be 95% confident that if you come across a crop of golden, awned plants that all have sagging heads, it'll be barley.

 

Barley looks like this:

 

 

 

Wheat looks like this:

 

 

 

 

To complicate things though, you may also spot the odd field of rye (almost all is grown on contract for Ryvita). Again, rye grains have awns, but the plant stands rigid with no sagging ear, and the blue/grey hue makes it pretty unmistakeable:

 

Edited July 19, 2009 by Baldrick

[Blunderbuss]

Thanks Baldrick, a comprehensive answer. I'm trying not to appear too ignorant when I talk to farmers

[Baldrick]

No problem - I'm always happy to answer any questions you may have.

[Ozzy Fudd]

so if its bent and hairy its barley, straight with no hairy bits its wheat, and straight with hairy bits its rye? (laymans terms )

[DaveK]

so if its bent and hairy its babby, (laymans terms )

 

[Baldrick]

so if its bent and hairy its barley, straight with no hairy bits its wheat, and straight with hairy bits its rye? (laymans terms )

 

Yes, that's correct in the vast majority of instances.

[Ozzy Fudd]

 

see now youre back on form

 

Yes, that's correct in the vast majority of instances.

 

cheers baldrick, i can pretend to be a culchie now B)

[KennyB]

baldrick, changing the subject slightly, is it my imagination but the wheat does not seem to be as high this year is there a new variety

 

k

[DaveK]

Hasn't been high for a few years. Means it can concentrate on the corn rather than growing upwards. Should be called Hobbit wheat

 

I can remember when I was a kid being dwarfed in cornfields.

[KennyB]

remember them days as well dave

[Baldrick]

baldrick, changing the subject slightly, is it my imagination but the wheat does not seem to be as high this year is there a new variety

 

k

 

DaveK has hit the nail on the head. Growing lengthy stems diverts nutrients away from the grain itself, and long stems are more susceptible to damage by wind and rain. Stumpy corn is the way ahead, and varieties are getting more stunted each year.

[Greenhunter]

DaveK has hit the nail on the head. Growing lengthy stems diverts nutrients away from the grain itself, and long stems are more susceptible to damage by wind and rain. Stumpy corn is the way ahead, and varieties are getting more stunted each year.

Doesn't that push the price of the straw up as in supply and demand terms there won't be as much off the fields?

Just wondered!

 

 

 

GH

[DaveK]

Doesn't that push the price of the straw up as in supply and demand terms there won't be as much off the fields?

Just wondered!

 

 

 

GH

 

Probably does but I can also remember the days when straw was waste and burned. Making money out of it now can only be a bonus.

 

Wait for it ........................

 

You still waiting? ..............................

 

 

 

 

 

It'll be worth it ........................................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And that my friend is the LONG and the SHORT of it

[markbivvy]

Hasn't been high for a few years. Means it can concentrate on the corn rather than growing upwards. Should be called Hobbit wheat

 

I can remember when I was a kid being dwarfed in cornfields.

 

your mother told you to keep away from them people.

[KennyB]

lol, lol

Edited July 19, 2009 by kenny5406

[Lorraine]

your mother told you to keep away from them people.

 

So did I but now he's not allowed to be him he can go incognito.

[markbivvy]

So did I but now he's not allowed to be him he can go incognito.

 

is cognito his new mate.

[Baldrick]

Doesn't that push the price of the straw up as in supply and demand terms there won't be as much off the fields?

Just wondered!

GH

 

Yes, wheat straw is not as abundant as it once was, but demand for the stuff (particularly in East Anglia) is at rock-bottom.

 

Ploughing straw back in after harvesting returns valuable nutrients to the soil - nutrients that used to be lost when we were allowed to burn stubble.

[lapwing]

Just to confuse the issue, what about triticale? Our organic neighbours would be sobbing into their sandals if they thought they were being ignored! Quite a bit in organic rotations round here as it is easy to grow, but apparently not much market for it. To the uninitiated it looks similar to rye or durum wheat, but about 5 foot high (and presumably absent tramlines if organic...?) I would post a picture, but too much of a luddite to manage such advanced things.

[E.w.]

The best reference is to google- how to identify farm crops everything you wish to know is there best of luck to you all and happy shooting.

[wymberley]

Wondered what was going on here for a moment - Baldrick??? - then I saw the date.

[activeviii]

we are growing a lot of durum wheat in the area this year. last few years its only been 50-100 acreas, this year, close on to 1000. next to barley, durum wheat is high on my list of hates. it gets everywhere and a blighter to get all the bits out of socks.

[ditchman]

i will tell you later how to identify wheat from barley when it is 4-6" high................

 

 

 

JDog might beat me to it ..........

Edited July 25, 2016 by ditchman