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'Opportunities for field beans as concentrates in livestock farming'
Field beans are of interest to livestock farmers as a production of concentrates, but the possibilities are still limited within the current derogation. The new CAP and any crop-specific derogation may make cultivation more attractive. That is why WUR is starting a study to calculate the best breeding plan based on the cow's energy and protein needs.
Wim van Dijk is a nutrient and soil researcher at WUR and has done a lot of research in the past into maize and fodder crops within a crop plan. The current construction plan on dairy farms is mainly determined by the derogation requirement of 80% grassland. Many livestock farmers now have to deal with this, which means that there is only limited space to include other crops in addition to grass and maize.
"In the study that was recently started, we first look at the needs of the livestock and derive the construction plan from that. We will also include aspects such as reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and ammonia," explains Van Dijk. "We also explicitly look at construction plans that do not meet the derogation requirement of at least 80% grass. After all, the current derogation conditions are not set in stone. For example, there would be more options for crop derogation." The study is part of the PPP project Roughage, Soil and Circular Agriculture.
Field bean as a resting and protein crop
Various forage crops are included in the study, including the field bean† "During the discussions about the implementation of the new CAP, field beans are already explicitly mentioned as a rest crop and protein crop." This would mean that growers of this crop would receive more financial support. "Rest crops, including field beans, are beneficial for soil fertility," explains Van Dijk. "The harvest is carried out with less heavy machinery than, for example, the beet harvest. Field beans can also be harvested earlier in the season, under often drier conditions."
Positive qualities
Besides the fact that the properties of the protein of the field bean come closest to those of soy, the field bean also has a number of advantages from a cultivation point of view. Legumes (such as the field bean) have the property that they fix nitrogen from the air. This ensures a subsequent supply of nitrogen, which benefits the succeeding crop, while the cultivation itself requires little or no nitrogen. The earlier harvest in August or September leaves room for sowing grass, a green manure or other winter crop. It may even be possible to mow a cut.
Advantages of mixed cultivation
Weed control and certain diseases are a problem with field beans. This disadvantage can be partly overcome by growing it in mixed cultivation with grains. This results in a dense crop faster and less weed control is required. The disadvantage is the slightly lower protein yield. There are two options for both a monoculture and a mixed crop; ensilage the whole crop as roughage in the dough stage (GPS) or combine harvesters for real concentrate cultivation. In the latter case, the protein yield is higher. Van Dijk's experience is that in practice there is more interest in field beans as concentrates.
Wider crop rotation
Another point to note is that field beans can propagate harmful pathogens. This is especially the case on lighter soils with nematode problems. "If your crop plan includes potatoes in addition to grass and maize, then you have to be alert to that," says Van Dijk. "It doesn't have to be a problem, but it's something to consider on sensitive grounds or when certain infestations are present." For field beans, the advice is to maintain a wider crop rotation of at least 1 in 4 or 1 in 5.
Field bean or other crop?
Next to field beans are also fodder beets, grain, grass-clover or grass-fed alfalfa good options for more homegrown protein. Van Dijk: "The needs of the cow are central, but we also have to take other preconditions into account, such as climate and ammonia. In the current study we are investigating how this all fits best in relation to soil type and farm intensity." In addition to the study, various crops are compared in a field trial at Proefbedrijf Vredepeel. Both studies will provide insight into what is best for the cow and the dairy farmer.
Would you like to know more about growing and feeding field beans? Download the white paper here.
