Investigating the Effect of Banded Compost on Yield in Winter Barley

Note to readers, attached is the complete final report for FNE04-524.

We learned several practices that allow us to increase our barley yields and net profit. We have proved to our satisfaction that we could use our existing equipment apply starter fertilizer to our small grain crops by mixing it with the seed and "planting" it. We found that using an organic starter fertilizer would increase our stand density, yield potential and net returns per acre.

We found that organic barely yields and profits could be increased substantially by using more precise planting rates and more accurate seed placement; we saw that fertilizing with. Paying attention to the basics starting with a soil testing and liming is essential to good yields. Even in "bad years" good barely yields are possible with careful management.

• FNE04-525 Final Report
• Organic starter fertilizer