Field beans as concentrate very complete

Field beans fit in almost any ration. That is the opinion of Alidus Hidding of VIB Consulting. "Field beans have a very good protein quality, they contain energy, protein and starch," says Alidus. "If you already have enough roughage, then growing field beans should definitely be considered. Especially in view of the developments surrounding more protein from our own country."

The current events surrounding the nitrogen measures and the advice of the Soil-bound Committee, which recommends obtaining 2025% of the protein from our own land by 65, make the cultivation of field beans interesting. It is concentrate that, according to ration expert Hidding, also quickly becomes financially attractive with good hectare yields.

Financially interesting
He calculates: a combination of maize flour with soya with a comparable nutritional value costs around €30,50 per 100 kg of dry matter (ds) at current prices. For field beans, with a yield of 5 tons per hectare, you end up with €27,50. So cheaper. At a higher yield, it is soon interesting† Yields are on average between 5 and 7 tons. He also calculates the costs for grinding and storage in a trunk.

The nutritional value and quality of the protein is high. In addition, the nutritional value is stable, says Hidding. Are there also disadvantages? "Only with a ration of 100% grass you have to be careful not to feed too much protein. Then you get a surplus of quickly digestible proteins and the rumen bacteria simply cannot process it. Adjust your ration to the energy needs, prevent losses at the back of the cow. Field beans combine very well with a ration with low-protein maize."

keep counting
Make sure you don't feed too much, advises Alidus. "With 2, 3 or 4 kg DM from field beans you have enough protein in the ration. Keep calculating how much is needed in your ration." According to him, it sometimes happens that the purchase of concentrates is 'overcompensated' if there is insufficient roughage. "But that is of course out of the question in the future."

Arable cultivation
Hidding thinks it is interesting to outsource field bean cultivation to an arable farmer. Because cultivation is not something you just master. "Of course we had to learn that with maize in the beginning, but the current tight margins in dairy farming mean that there is little room to pay tuition fees."

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