If you’re interested in using grain legumes to supplement your cattle’s diet, you may be wondering if faba beans are suitable. This article explores the advantages of faba beans as a nitrogen fixer and source of protein and energy. It also explains how to use them to ensure maximum efficiency in feeding cattle. You may be surprised to know that faba beans are even more versatile than you thought!
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Faba beans are a grain legume
Besides being used as grain for cattle feed, faba beans are also processed into fibre, starch, and protein. They contain more protein than field peas but less oil. Currently, they are mainly exported to the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Egypt is the largest consumer of this grain legume. Farmers who grow faba beans must adjust their supply quantities and focus on short-term offered prices. Small farmers have weak bargaining power, and they have little impact on price.
Unlike other grain legumes, faba beans have low oil content, which makes them ideal for animal feed. They are also palatable, making them an excellent protein source. Moreover, the low tannin content of faba beans means that they can be fed to a range of livestock including cattle, buffalo, and fish. The grain legume has a plethora of benefits for cattle and can be adapted to various feeding regimes.
They are a source of protein
Unlike other plant species, faba beans are not easily harvested. Their seeds need constant moisture to germinate. The growth period is 80 to 120 days. Plants should be planted by the first week of May, but some producers set a later cut-off date, such as May 7th. Despite being resistant to frost, delayed planting has been linked to reduced yield and late maturity due to drought stress. Delaying the plant’s emergence may result in yield losses of up to 32 percent.
Faba beans are harvested to dry down or produce a high-quality silage that can be used as cattle feed. The silage is palatable and contains approximately 17%-18% crude protein. Faba beans can be fed to both ruminants and monogastrics. This makes them an excellent choice for ruminant diets. This versatile legume is highly nutritious and can replace other sources of protein, such as soybean meal.
They are a source of energy
Faba beans are a great alternative to soy meal for beef cattle. Their seeds contain a high proportion of protein and energy, and require no roasting or grinding. In addition, faba beans are an excellent source of starch, providing a high energy source to cattle. Compared to soybeans, faba beans are less expensive to grow, yielding close to 30% of the original amount.
Faba beans are harvested in a number of ways, from direct cut to silage. Depending on their moisture content, faba beans are palatable as a forage. Faba bean silage has 17% to 18% crude protein. These products are suitable for both ruminants and monogastrics. Listed below are three ways to use faba beans in cattle feed.
They are a nitrogen fixer
Using faba beans as a nitrogen fixer in cattle feed is a great way to increase your farm’s production while reducing your input costs. They also improve soil health and prevent diseases in your field, all of which will increase your farm’s profitability. As a nitrogen fixer, faba beans can be grown with a seed drill, air flow drill, or hybrid planter. Some growing conditions may cause flow issues in your distribution system, so be sure to discuss your needs with potential buyers and negotiate specific contract specifications.
The best soil for faba beans is one with adequate moisture content. Soil testing is critical to help determine if the crop is tolerant of the nutrients present. Soil pH must be between 6.0 and 8.0 for best growth. Soil testing is also important to ensure optimum fertility. Soil test procedures are available from the Dept. of Crop and Soil Science. The soil test results will help you determine the proper amount of fertilizer to use on your plot.
They can replace soya in dairy cow rations
Faba beans are a suitable alternative to soya, a common source of animal protein in dairy cow rations. These legumes have a lower sulfur content and higher protein content than soybean meal. However, faba beans are also full of anti-nutritional factors which can adversely affect cow performance. These include tannins, trypsin inhibitors, protease inhibitors, gallic acid, and phytoestrogen compounds. Heat-based processing of faba beans can significantly reduce anti-nutritional factors and improve the amount of undegradable protein.
In the two experiments, the DM, organic matter, and fiber digestibility coefficients were not affected by the presence of faba beans. However, the nitrogen digestibility coefficients increased with the level of faba beans. The dietary inclusion of faba beans may have benefits for dairy cows. This is because faba beans have a high protein content and are a natural source of energy.
