The field bean: protein from our own soil

If protein-rich feed crop is the field bean one of the better options, says Wageningen researcher Wijnand Sukkel. Field beans have been in the spotlight for some time. Much research was done in the 80s and 90s. Even then, the conclusion was that this leguminous plant can be a good European source of protein in animal feed. But the breakthrough failed to materialize, because the beans could not compete with soy.

Now the odds seem to be turning. The Dutch agricultural sector is looking for protein from its own land. Soy is under discussion, as imports from North and South America do not fit in with the image of circular agriculture.

Of the available protein crops, the field bean is one of the best, says Wijnand Sukkel, researcher at Wageningen Plant Research. "In terms of yield, the crop can certainly compete with Dutch soy, and in terms of protein composition it comes pretty close."

Read all about the cultivation of field beans here

Nitrogen
What makes field beans interesting? For Sukkel, this is due to a combination of factors. "Beans are leguminous plants. They extract nitrogen from the air and fix it in the soil. They themselves hardly need nitrogen fertilization and provide a significant subsequent supply for the succeeding crop. They also contribute to biodiversity. The flowering crop is attractive to bees and other insects." Last but not least, the beans have excellent nutritional properties for cattle and poultry.

The researcher describes the cultivation as 'reasonably stable'. Growing grain or maize is easier, but the difference is getting smaller. Sukkel: "Maize was not easy in the early years, but cultivation has developed enormously, both in mechanization and in the supply of good varieties. I expect that such a movement will also be possible in field beans."

Crop rotation
As a feed crop for the market, the protein-rich crop is not yet lucrative, says Sukkel. "On an arable farm, the beans can hardly compete with wheat in terms of balance/hectare. But demand is now also arising from human food, the market for meat substitutes offers opportunities."

For a farmer who grows the beans as a concentrate substitute for his own use, it is an excellent crop. The field beans fit well into the crop plan, in addition to grass and maize. An extra crop has agricultural advantages anyway. Sukkel: "We have been able to grow 1 on 1 maize for years, because there were few diseases and pests. That is already changing. In the long run that will no longer be possible. Crop rotation is really welcome for maize too."

For the beans, rotation is a must. "You have to maintain a large crop rotation of at least 1 in 6 to avoid problems with foot disease. You can also grow field beans 1 in 8 and alternate with field peas; then you have legumes in a 1 in 4 rotation."

Crop protection through strip cultivation
One of the bottlenecks is crop protection. The researcher specifically mentions louse, chocolate stains and rust. "There are resources available, but in the long run we want to be able to do without." Strip cultivation may offer a solution. The 'Farm of the Future', a concept of Wageningen Plant Research, is experimenting with this. By growing the crops in alternating narrow lanes, they reinforce each other. In addition, the usually species-specific diseases and pests spread less quickly. "We have had good experiences with strips of 10 meters. With 22 meters you also see an effect, although it is less because the blocks are getting bigger."

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