Double Cropping Following Winter Barley Harvest in Eastern Virginia

Camper, H. M.; Genter, C. F.; Loope, K. E.

Double Cropping Following Winter Barley Harvest in Eastern Virginia

1972

Camper, H. M. | Genter, C. F. | Loope, K. E.

Soybeans (Glycine max L.) for grain and sorghum (Sorghum vulgate L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) for both grain and silage were planted in late June and in July following winter barley (Hordeum vulgate L.) to evaluate these crops in a double cropping system in eastern Virginia. Soybeans have been widely grown after barley in that area. Production and harvest costs were estimated and net returns were calculated from these estimates and the values of the crops produced. Grain yields were obtained over a 2-year period. Both mid-season and late maturity soybeans produced crops of satisfactory quality each year. Early or very early maturity sorghum and maize hybrids were planted and appeared to be satisfactory for grain when planted in June but one July planting was severely damaged by an early frost. When the June plantings were harvested for grain, the net return from maize was significantly greater than from either sorghum or soybeans. Soybeans, however, appeared to be more dependable than maize or sorghum for grain if planted in July. Maize and sorghum silage yields were obtained the second year of the experiment. Net returns from both Crops for silage were consistently greater at each date of planting than from any grain crop. All but one of the differences were significant. Net returns were greater from sorghum silage than from maize at each date of planting and the difference was significant for the July planting. Better adapted strains of all three crops are needed for use in a double cropping system.

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