Swathing vs. Straight Combining Barley
Key Takeaways:
- Both swathing and straight combining barley can produce marketable malt barley when harvest timing and grain quality are properly managed.
- Desiccants and pre-harvest glyphosate applications are not permitted for malt barley production.
- Barley should generally be swathed at less than 30% moisture, when kernels are difficult to dent with a thumbnail.
- Swathing may be beneficial for lodged crops, thin stands, or varieties prone to shattering.
- Straight combining can help reduce the risk of sprouting, staining, and weather-related quality loss, particularly during wet fall conditions.
- The choice between swathing and straight combining often depends on weather conditions, equipment availability, harvest timing, and individual farm management practices
Both straight combining and swathing can produce marketable malting barley. Desiccants and harvest aids such as pre-harvest glyphosates are not allowed for malt barley production. Swathing should be delayed until the moisture content is below 30 per cent. At this stage, the barley kernel is difficult to dent with your thumbnail.
Check out the Pre-Harvest Glyphosate Staging Guide for Cereals by Keep it Clean for the thumbnail test.
Standard recommendations for swathing versus straight combining barley are not common. Generally, time and quality management, equipment availability, and personal preference will determine whether or not producers swath or straight combine. However, there is a trend to straight combining, which will likely continue.
Variety characteristics such as straw strength, lodging resistance and shattering susceptibility can influence harvest method decisions. Producers should consider variety-specific recommendations when planning harvest operations.
Time and quality management, variety, equipment availability, and personal preference will determine whether or not you swath or straight combine your barley. Here are some advantages of each from Saskatchewan Agriculture:
Swathing barley:
- Protection against shattering – this is particularly true for varieties with a higher tendency to shatter. However, to protect against pre-harvest sprouting and staining, it is recommended to leave the crop standing as long as possible.
- Faster dry-down, given proper drying conditions in the swath.
- Terminates under-story growth (late flushes of tillers, volunteers and weeds).
- Offers the opportunity, if you have a thin stand, to create a double swath to better utilize combine capacity.
- Offers a strategy to deal with lodging.
Straight combining barley:
The advantages of straight combining are generally related to time management, as well as quality management, especially during wet fall conditions.
- Protection against sprouting (chitting) and staining.
- If the grain is tough, it will dry faster in the head than in the swath, resulting in better quality and shorter time to harvest.
- Heavy dew will affect grain quality (sprouting, staining) in the swath more than standing grain.
- Provides one operation; however, if areas of the field are still a bit green, producers may harvest around these areas to protect quality, resulting in additional trips to the field.
A Simple Decision Guide
Consideration |
Swathing |
Straight Combining |
|---|---|---|
| Lodged crop | ✓ Better option | May be challenging |
| Wet fall conditions | Higher quality risk | ✓ Often preferred |
| Shatter-prone varieties | ✓ Often preferred | Higher risk |
| Labour and fuel savings | Additional operation | ✓ Single operation |
| Uneven maturity | ✓ Can help manage | May require multiple passes |
For more tips and management practices for your barley harvest, visit our Harvest & Storage Resources page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Swathing and Straight Combining Barley
Is it better to swath or straight combine barley?
Neither method is universally better. Both swathing and straight combining can produce marketable malt barley. The right choice depends on crop maturity, weather conditions, equipment availability, lodging risk, and grain quality considerations.
When should barley be swathed?
Barley should generally be swathed when grain moisture falls below 30 per cent. At this stage, kernels are typically difficult to dent with a thumbnail. Swathing too early can increase the risk of lower grain quality and reduced yield.
Can malt barley be treated with glyphosate before harvest?
No. Pre-harvest glyphosate and other desiccants or harvest aids are not permitted for malt barley production. Producers should follow market and buyer requirements to maintain malt quality eligibility.
What are the advantages of swathing barley?
Swathing can reduce losses from shattering, help manage lodged crops, terminate late tillers and weeds, and improve combine efficiency in thin stands through double swathing.
What are the advantages of straight combining barley?
Straight combining can reduce exposure to sprouting and staining, especially during wet harvest seasons. Grain may also dry more effectively while standing than in a swath, helping preserve quality and streamline harvest operations.
Does straight combining increase the risk of grain loss?
In some situations, yes. Varieties with a greater tendency to shatter may be at increased risk if harvest is delayed. However, many producers successfully straight combine barley when crop maturity and harvest conditions are favourable.
How does weather affect the decision to swath or straight combine?
Weather is one of the most important factors. Wet fall conditions can increase the risk of sprouting and staining in swathed barley, making straight combining more attractive. In contrast, swathing may be preferred where lodging or uneven maturity is a concern.
This article was originally written with the assistance of Dr. Brian Rossnagel, University of Saskatchewan and Michael Brophy, Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. The full article, Barley: Malting, can be viewed here.
