The effects of different cutting times and drying methods on the quality of two barley varieties (Wansi 2 and Wansipi 14008) under 3 cutting times (heading stage,filling stage and milking stage) and 2 drying methods (oven-dried and air-dried) treatments were studied.The results indicated that the crude protein content of two varieties decreased with the cutting time,and the maximum value was obtained at heading stage;The contents of crude fiber,acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber firstly increased and then decreased while the relative feed value firstly decreased and then increased;The lignin content,fresh matter yield,dry matter yield and crude protein yield increased and reached the highest at milking stage.Compared with the air-dried method,the oven-dried barley forage had higher crude protein content,lower crude fiber content,and forage quality was better.In conclusion,the barley forage cutting at heading stage had higher quality and could be directly fed by livestock or used for hay making,while the barley forage cutting at milking stage could obtain both higher nutrient yield and relative feeding value,which was suitable for silage production.The quality of barley forage could be more effectively maintained by rapid drying method.