Barley is physiologically mature at 30–50% moisture, which is well before it is ripe enough to harvest mechanically. It was known that translocation to the kernels ceased at a moisture content of 42%.
Barley can be harvested manually under small scale or combine harvesters can be used in large production scales.
Hand pulling is generally employed in very dry years or areas with poor seed and straw yield and high price expectations. Hand harvest can also be adopted even in more humid seasons or flat fields when straw yield is very low.
Barley producers also need to consider varietal characteristics such as height, straw strength and susceptibility to shattering and sprouting when determining which basic harvesting method to use.
Combine is available in areas where the main agricultural activity is cereal production. Combine harvest of barley crop is common in areas where topography is suitable, land size is large and farmers are relatively rich. Poor farmers in other areas generally raise livestock to sustain their lives. In developing countries combine harvesters are hired because most of the farmers can not afford to own combines.
During the harvesting operation, constant monitoring of grain and equipment, and subsequent system adjustments will ensure minimal damage.
Harvest and handling are particularly important for malting barley because maintaining germination >95% is vital. Even minor damage to the seed can affect its ability to germinate. Cracked grains, skinned or partially skinned grains, and grains killed through damage to the germ do not malt properly.
Harvesting barley
