There is more to the potential food use of faba bean than meets the eye. The functional ingredients produced from the bean itself, such as flour or protein isolate and concentrate, can be used to make pasta, crackers, flakes, mayonnaise and dairy or meat analogues. Nevertheless, the use of faba bean in the food industry remains low, especially compared to soy. There is renewed interest in using faba beans in dairy-type aqueous processes. The constraint is the beany off-flavours (also known as aokusami) found in legumes. This unwanted flavour is caused by the action of certain enzymes on fats. It can be controlled by gentle heat treatment that denatures the enzymes without greatly affecting the properties of the other proteins. Value chains that incorporate steps for denaturing the enzyme activity are able to offer a product of higher quality with fewer off-flavour compounds. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/5729678#.YcIP_PHML6M

The dependence on fish meal and oil obtained from wild fisheries raises serious risks to the development of aquaculture. Alternative raw materials are sought to minimise this threat. For years, agricultural products such as soya in a primary role and pea, faba bean or lupin in secondary role support this effort. Increasing their use remains a challenge that can offer European farmers a potentially high-value market for grain legumes. This note sets out the quality requirements of grain legumes for fish feed. The purpose is to support farmers and grain traders who wish to supply to this market. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/5484115#.YcIP8fHML6N

Downy mildew is caused by the plant pathogen Peronospora manshurica. Downy mildew is a common fungal disease of soybean, found worldwide. It is soil and seed-borne and infection may result in yield losses of 5 to up to 10% in severe cases. So far, in Central Europe the damage caused is observed to be low. This practice note provides information on the pathogen`s biology and control of the disease presenting a foundation for effective management. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/5112766#.YcIP0_HML6N

The choice of cultivar is one of the most important decisions made in growing soybean. Choosing a suitable variety creates the conditions for high added value through high (and reliable) grain yield with adequate quality. Attention to special quality characteristics can attract high prices in specialised markets. Other traits can help reduce production costs. European farmers can choose from a multitude of soybean cultivars. The optimum choice depends especially on latitude, local growth conditions, and the intended market or use. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/5004022#.YcIPxvHML6N

Experiments in Ireland have shown that phosphorus (P) supply from the soil is important for high yielding faba bean crops. These observations are supported by studies showing that crops that fix nitrogen (biological nitrogen fixation, BNF) are particularly sensitive to P deficiencies. Phosphorus deficiency reduces nodule (which fixes nitrogen) growth and activity and impacts directly on crop growth. Irish research has also shown that in cases of limited available soil-P conditions, application of P fertiliser with the seed can improve crop development and increase yield. The purpose of this practice note is to provide insights into faba bean production practices arising from these findings. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://zenodo.org/record/4926384#.YcIPu_HML6M

This note describes feeding lucerne. Lucerne is a protein-rich perennial forage legume that fits well into arable cropping systems. Optimising the use of lucerne on dairy farms involves balancing agronomic, nutritional and economic considerations. e inclusion of lucerne in a grass or maize-based forage ration reduces the need for feeding high protein rapeseed and/or soybean meal to high-performance dairy cows. The beneficial effect depends on the protein content of the grass or maize silage that is replaced and the stage of cutting of lucerne which will determine its nutritional value. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/5040038#.YcIPl_HML6M

Farmers are very familiar with the conventional seed drill for sowing cereals. This practice note outlines how this standard farm equipment can be also successfully used in soybean production. Good crop establishment is the key to high soybean yields. Practical experience has shown that drill seeders are suitable for achieving high yields. Drill seeders sow in narrow rows which contribute to an early canopy closure which increases the competitiveness of the crop against weeds and reduces the risk of soil erosion. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4719106#.YcIPjvHML6M

Winter pea (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense L.) is widely grown in Bulgaria. Bulgarian scientists and farmers have accumulated cultivars and knowledge for both forms of field peas, winter (Pisum sativum ssp. Arvense) and spring pea (Pisum sativum ssp. sativum). There is renewed interest in pea as farmers and local producers aim to apply circular economy in agriculture. Local production of plant protein has a positive economic effect in animal husbandry. Bulgaria is characterised by favorable climatic conditions and suitable soils for over-wintering field pea. Autumn sown winter pea is particularly flexible in how the canopy and crop structure develops. The high plasticity of winter pea as a crop and its ability to enrich the soil with nitrogen, as well as the available local pool of cultivars, are prerequisites for selecting it as a source of sufficient plant protein in local circular economy. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4783031#.YcIPgfHML6M

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), also called field bean, is rich in protein and energy. In particular, faba bean complements cereal well in the feed ration due to the high content of lysine. Faba bean can replace or supplement soya and can be used without further treatment. The crop can be sold to compound feed producers. But a better profit margin is achieved with on-farm use than when sold to the market. This note describes two practice cases where home-grown grain legumes are an important component of GMO-free feed rations. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4298523#.YcIPYfHML6N

Successful soybean harvesting is about recovering the highest proportion of the grain with the best possible quality and purity at the optimal time. High soybean yields and quality require the harmony of all production factors. Timely and efficient soybean harvest is one of the key challenges. Inappropriate harvesting can lead to harvest losses of up to 30% of the yield. The main factors that impact harvest losses are pre- harvest activities (seedbed preparation, crop canopy), harvest time and combine harvester settings. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4540979#.YcIPVfHML6M

Due to lucerne’s high protein content and the structure of its leaves, attention to detail at harvest is required for best results. Harvesting lucerne is different to harvesting grass in several important respects.This practice note sets out how yield and nutritional losses are minimised when lucerne is harvested and ensiled for forage. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4540969#.YcIPSfHML6M

Pests are generally not a problem in European soybean crops. Spider mites account for a large proportion of what pest damage there is. The risk of damage is high during dry and hot conditions in summer. Several mite species can damage soybean plants, but two are more harmful than others: the spider mite (Tetranychus atlanticus) and the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). There are no acaricides available for use in soybean in the European Union (EU) and chemical control is not an option in the EU or for crops grown to EU standards elsewhere. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/5060691#.YcIPP_HML6M

Pea is rich in protein and energy. It complements cereals perfectly for feeding poultry due to the high lysine content. White-flowering, light- hulled pea can be included up to 30% in poultry feed. Growers of field pea can sell their crops to compound feed producers. However, trading pea is not always straightforward and on-farm or local use generally increases the profitability of growing pea. For this on-farm use to be successful, the feed value must be determined for each farm-grown batch so that the feed mix can be optimised. Home-grown grain legumes are an important component of GMO-free feed rations and so benefit from premia for non-GM products. This note provides an insight into successful farm practices and feed rations with field peas in organic farming. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4518598#.YcIPMfHML6M

This practice note provides an overview of the components and feed value of faba bean. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), also called field bean, is rich in protein and energy (Figure 1). The high content of lysine means faba bean complements cereals in feed. Faba bean can replace or supplement soy. The feed value of faba bean for poultry is determined by the metabolisable energy and the digestibility of the amino acids in the protein. Cultivars such as Tiffany that have low levels of vicine-convicine can be included up to 20% of the ration. Cultivars that are also low in tannin (white flowering cultivars such as Bianca) can be included at rates above 20%. For using faba bean on-farm, the feed value must be determined for each batch so that the use can be targeted. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/5157997#.YcIPCvHML6M

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a valuable crop species containing around 20% crude protein in the seed. Cultivated as a pure crop, pea is prone to lodging and susceptible to biotic and abiotic stress. This is especially the case for the taller cultivars often used for forage. This leads to diminished crop performance and inferior crop quality. This practice note provides insight into intercropping systems of pea and cereals as developed and used in Switzerland. This cropping system was developed over years in an iterative process in cooperation with farmers using farm-based experiments. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4629170#.YcIO_PHML6M

Favorable climatic conditions and suitable soils support the cultivation of grain pea for livestock feed in south-east Europe. Grain pea (Pisum sativum ssp. sativum L.) is very plastic. This means it adjusts to conditions while growing. It is able to enrich the soil with nitrogen, which makes the crop attractive to farmers. Pea provides a valuable plant protein that can reduce the use of imported protein in livestock feeding. The crop is cultivated for dual purposes in Bulgaria: firstly as forage, which is harvested green, and secondly for grain. The crop is rotated to exploit its fertility-raising features. Spring-sown pea in Bulgaria has a short period of rapid vegetative growth in the months of April and May. This is followed by grain development in May and June. Favorable growing conditions and the availability of water from the soil are key to the yield potential generated in spring and early summer. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/5040176#.YcIO7_HML6M

The painted lady (Vanessa cardui L.) is a pest of soybean in Serbia and many countries in south-eastern Europe (Croatia, Bosnia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria). It occurs also in central, western, and northern Europe (Austria, France, Germany). This pest appears occasionally, typically once in four to five years, when it can be of economic importance. It can cause severe damage in high infestation years with more than one-third of the leaf canopy eaten. However, spraying with insecticide is only rarely required or economically justified. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4632755#.YcIO5PHML6M

This note supports strategies for effective lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) production in cool regions. While it is particularly based on experience gained in environments normally regarded as marginal for lucerne production, it is relevant to all lucerne-growing situations. The aim is maximisation of crop yield and forage quality. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4540959#.YcIO2vHML6M

Shield bugs (species of the superfamily Pentatomoidea) are important insect pests in soybean production worldwide. They are also known as stink bugs because they have glands that excrete a strong odour. Two bugs have become more common in recent years in Europe: the southern green shield bug (Nezara viridula) and the brown marmorated shield bug (Halyomorpha halys). The southern green shield bug is a cosmopolitan species. It is polyphagous and damages a great number of field and vegetable crops among which soybean is a preferred crop. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4607125#.YcIOwvHML6M

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) can be fed to dairy, beef cattle and sheep as part of the protein forage component of their ration. Based on Scottish research, this note provides guidance on identifying site and climate combinations where the production of lucerne can be viable in north-western Europe. The experience from research on lucerne gained in these marginal conditions provides a useful guide to production more generally. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4438042#.YcIOwPHML6M

Timely sowing is important for successful soybean production. Timely sowing gives the best combination of cultivar, the length of daylight (latitude and calendar date), soil temperature and moisture at planting depth. This enables rapid development and growth of young plants before floral induction, providing the foundation of high yields. This practice note is about identifying the optimum sowing date in each situation. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4629177#.YcIOrfHML6M

This note gives an overview of the components and feed value of field pea. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is rich in protein and energy. Pea complements cereal in the feed ration because of the high content of lysine. The feed value of pea for poultry is determined by the metabolisable energy for poultry and the digestibility of the amino acids. Depending on the animal type and rearing phase, white-flowering, light-coloured pea can be used for poultry up to 30% of the feed compound mixture. The feeding value must be determined for each batch of pea so that the use can be targeted. Field pea can be sold to compound feed producers. But on-farm use gives a better return than can be achieved when sold to the market. Home-grown grain legumes are an important component of GMO-free feed rations. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4697198#.YcIN7PHML6M

High and stable soybean yields require the careful combination of practices. In practical terms, this means the right choices in selecting the land used, placing the soybean effectively in the cropping sequence, making the right decisions at sowing followed by good husbandry practices throughout the growing season (from planting to harvest). The use of certified seed reduces the risk of genetic impurity, low seed viability, and the spread of weed seeds in this region. Here we address the decisions made in sowing using a pneumatic precision seeder. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4604350#.YcINu_HML6M

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is also known as field bean or broad bean. Faba bean is especially well adapted to relatively heavy soils and cool conditions. The faba bean is therefore the grain legume of choice over much of northern Europe. Unlike cereals, the root system is not fibrous so faba bean is not well adapted to compacted soils. This note describes some of the key practices used in the establishment of these exceptionally high yielding crops. These high yields are due to the Irish climate which is ideal for crop growth. Understanding the crop management practices used to exploit this high potential helps in improving production in Ireland and is relevant further afield. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4620620#.YcIN1PHML6M

More UK dairy farmers are moving away from soya as a protein source for a range of

reasons including consumer concerns about the environmental and social consequences of soya production in some exporting countries. Pea can be used for the protein enrichment of cereal-based concentrate feed. The nutritional value of pea and whether it can maintain milk output and composition when replacing soya in milking cow rations is examined to support decisions around if and how to use pea for feeding dairy cows. This practice note discusses the suitability of pea for the replacement of soya in dairy rations. Pea can be used for the protein enrichment of cereal-based concentrate feed. The nutritional value of pea and whether it can maintain milk output and composition when replacing soya in milking cow rations is examined to support decisions around if and how to use pea for feeding dairy cows. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4298513

More UK dairy farmers are moving away from soya as a protein source for a range of reasons including consumer concerns about the environmental and social consequences of soya production in some exporting countries. This practice note discusses the suitability of faba bean (field bean) for the replacement of soya in dairy rations. The faba bean can be used for the protein enrichment of cereal-based concentrate feeds. The nutritional value of faba bean and whether it can maintain milk output and composition when replacing soya in milking cow rations is examined to support decisions around if and how to use faba bean for feeding dairy cows. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://www.zenodo.org/record/4551534

Soybean is falling out of favour with dairy farmers, processors and consumers, due to the environmental concerns around imported soy. Farmers looking for alternatives to soy. Nutritional considerations and formulations are discussed. The practice note discusses the reasoning behind seeking alternatives and the nutritional considerations to bear in mind when formulating cow rations without soya. Switching to other protein feed-ingredients is likely to reduce the carbon footprint. Some alternatives considered include rapeseed meal, which has been proven to have no negative effect on milk yield of composition, wheat or maize-based distillers dark grains as a by-product from ethanol production, and grain legumes like peas, bean and lupins. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://zenodo.org/record/4551537

Damaging emissions are created through the agricultural use of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers. These include nitrous oxide (N2O) a potent greenhouse gas. These emissions can be avoided by harnessing biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Legumes are the most important hosts of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in terrestrial ecosystems, especially agricultural ecosystems. Nitrogen fixed by legumes is an alternative to synthetically fixed nitrogen in fertilisers. Growing legumes is a cheap and affordable way to enrich soils with nitrogen, creating favorable conditions for subsequent crops, reducing the need for artificial nitrogen fertilisers. Improving BNF results in higher yields and, often, higher protein contents in the grain. Therefore, the agronomic success of grain legume crops depends to a great extent on the amount of nitrogen fixed in the nodules of their root systems. Each legume has a specific type of symbiotic bacteria in the family Rhizobiaceae. Establishing this symbiosis between the specific bacteria and host legume is very important for a successful crop. Inoculation can aid in this establishment and is required in soybeans. How to inoculate soybean is described in Practice Note 1. Other practical points include the need to protect the root nodules from pea and bean weevil, with an integrated past management of Sitona spp. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://zenodo.org/record/3906251

Young soybean crops are vulnerable to weed competition, especially if spring weather is cool. Inter-row cultivation is one way to tip the balance in the competition between the crop and weeds to favor the soybean.

Inter-row cultivation suppresses weeds between rows and loosens the soil, which improves soil aeration, reduces water evaporation, and breaks soil crusts. This increases the activity of microorganisms, as well as nitrogen-fixing bacteria that are found on soybean roots, means an increase in biological nitrogen fixation. The overall result is an increase in crop yield and quality. The increase was larger in years with lower rainfall.

Inter-row cultivation in soybean is done early in the growing period, typically April and May. It can be done up to three times and is most effective when weeds are young. The latest opportunity to cultivate is just before canopy closure. Row width is also an important factor in success, trial results show that the best row spacing is 45 or 50 cm. Inter-row cultivation can be combined with other cultivating tools such as different harrows, rotary hoes, finger and flame weeders. More information is available from the Legumes Translated Practice Note at https://zenodo.org/record/3742298