Improve protein self-sufficiency through pulse crops
Pulses, such as faba beans and peas, are annual grain legumes that can be grown and used as feed to reduce dependence on purchased fertilisers and imported feeds. Legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen in association with Rhizobium bacteria in their root nodules and leave also some N in the field for the subsequent crop. Using pulses, protein supplements can be produced on the farm with virtually no nitrogen fertilisers. Legumes diversify crop rotations, improve soil fertility and biodiversity. Grow varieties suitable for own area and soils where the pH is not too low. Do not overfertilize.
Faba beans and peas contain more crude protein than cereals, but less than protein feeds such as soya bean meal and rapeseed meal. Protein content of faba beans ≈300 g/kg DM (280 - 350) and peas ≈ 230 g/kg DM (190 - 290). They contain more starch than protein feeds, but less than cereals. Starch content of faba beans: ≈ 430 g/kg ka (380 - 480) and peas: ≈ 500 g/kg ka (430 - 575). The rumen degradability of protein is higher for legumes than for rapeseed meal or expeller, which means that a higher proportion of the crude protein in the feed is broken down in the rumen. This is advantageous if the ration is low in rumen degradable protein but increases nitrogen losses when the basal diet is high in crude protein. High starch content increases microbial protein synthesis compared to protein feeds. Approximate amount of nitrogen fixation per year: 50-100 kg N/ha for faba beans and 40-80 kg N/ha for peas.
Instead of harvesting pulses at full ripening stage and drying like cereals, crimping and ensiling in silo or tube is a more cost-effective method of preservation, where legumes can be harvested before they reach maturity, which gives flexibility in harvesting time and weather conditions.
Resilience for Dairy
Completed | 2021-2024
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, Slovenia, Netherlands, Northern Ireland