Dave,

Barley straw has been used extensively in Europe with noted sucess but the sucess has not been well documented here in the U.S.

The straw is supposed to be replaced every 4-6 months - or when it is 75% decomposed. The rate of application is 2 bales/surface acre - mild algae growth, 4 bales - moderate and 6 bales - heavy growth. I placed 4 / acre last fall and just changed those out with 4 fresh bales last week.

I am putting it out by dividing it into 6 mesh bags per bale ancored around the pond. It supposedly works well also to simply tear the bales apart and throw it into the water (more unsitely for sure).

I am reservedly excited about the possibility of this working and will keep posting the results on this site. I currently have 2 other pond owners who have had continual 100% fish kills (also documented by water tests) over the last 6 years who are also going to try the barley - so it should add a little credibility to the study if their fish survive also. Maybe this is all wishful thinking - but otherwise we just have great big swimming pools!

I appreciate all the comments..