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To gold with winter field beans
Due to the sharply increased prices of concentrated feed, interest in the cultivation of field beans has increased significantly in recent years. The new CAP has given an extra boost since last year. With the eco-scheme protein crops it is possible to go for gold and that already gives you €100 extra per hectare. The sowing season for winter field beans starts in mid-October.
The winter field bean is the leguminous protein crop with the highest yield potential. With a successful crop, we see grain yields of 6 to over 8 tons per hectare in practice. This with an RE of 27% to 30% and 350 to 450 grams of starch per kilogram of dry matter. The recommended variety is Tundra, the most sown winter field bean in the Netherlands and Belgium for years.
Tips for successful cultivation
Field bean cultivation requires care and attention to realize yield potential. Some important growing tips for winter field beans:
- Sow mid-October to December
- From this year onwards, it is packaged in units of 30.000 seeds and therefore 8 units of Tundra beans/ha
- Sow on good soil: pH sufficiently high, good structure, not too sensitive to drought or too wet, prevent structural damage
- Sow deep: 8 – 10 cm with 37,5 – 50 row spacing
- Get a clean start with a soil herbicide
- Monitor the crop together with your crop advisor and make timely adjustments where necessary
Mixed cultivation with winter wheat
In addition to the monoculture described above, you can also grow field beans in mixed cultivation with wheat. This way, you can use the cultivation not only as an eco-activity but also as a rest crop or as a catch crop. As a catch crop, winter wheat is the main crop with a share of at least two-thirds. Advantages of mixed cultivation are also:
- Additional weed suppression thanks to the wheat ground cover
- Extra yield security
- Wheat benefits from the N-fixation of the field bean
Uses of field beans
Ground field beans form a high-quality concentrate. Livestock farmers report good feeding experiences with bean meal, which provides both protein and energy. Milled immediately after harvest (such as CCM), the bean flour can be easily stored in a pit or slot silo. Dry storage and phased grinding or crushing is also done. Arable farmers have sales opportunities to livestock farms and trading companies.
Wondering whether winter field beans are also suitable for your company?
