Field beans are an excellent addition to the protein in the dairy cows' rations. That is why cultivation in the Netherlands is also increasing in size, in 2020 field beans will be grown on just under 1.100 hectares. For an optimal return, it is nice if the yield per hectare is given a boost.
On the farm of Bert Wissels, dairy farmer in Hengelo (Gld.) and participant in the Boerenbusiness Roughage Tour, harvested the field beans with the combine last week. With a yield of around 5 tons per hectare, it was a reasonably good harvest, says Wissels. The dairy farmer appreciates the field bean for its protein addition in the ration, but is critical of the yield. "To be able to cultivate field beans on a large scale, it is necessary that the yield per hectare increases. This requires more breeding."
The advantage of the field bean is that only little fertilizer is needed. Wissels has applied 20 cubic meters of manure to the land and no further fertilizer. The dairy farmer did suffer from disease pressure, partly due to the wet period in the spring. As a result, the crop suffered from root rot, which had an impact on the yield. The crop is also more susceptible to rhizoctonia on low sand/loam. The problems are much less severe on clay soils, with which a yield of up to 7 tons can be achieved.
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