Forage peas as a high protein

Not a new product to the market, forage peas have been in and out of fashion over the years, says John Spence, forage crop product manager at Limagrain UK.

However, more recently, interest in the crop has seen a rise due to high supplementary protein and fertiliser prices, combined with the soil benefits of using a legume crop.

Mr Spence says: “Anything which is relatively high in protein, but also nitrogen fixing, has seen a boost in terms of sales and popularity. It is another option and something for people to consider.”

Based on the latest figures from Limagrain, the growing cost of forage peas sits at about £102 per tonne of utilised dry matter (DM) and £708 per hectare (£287 per acre), making it a cost-effective option for home-grown protein.

Mr Spence says: “It is important now, if not more than ever, to allow people to take control of their own costs to a certain extent.”

Protein levels

While protein content is dependent on the year, Mr Spence says crude protein levels generally sit at 16-20 per cent, with a DM content is of 20-25 per cent.

Overall, digestibility value sits at 62-64 per cent, with a metabolisable energy level of 10.5MJ/kg of DM.

Dr Cara Campbell, senior consultant and area manager at SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College, explains the advantages of forage peas as a high protein source within the dairy diet. While forage peas usually contain a higher protein content than grass silage, the crop contains a higher level of rumen degradable protein.

This is unlike by-pass protein, which is also required by dairy cows, digested in the small intestine, and is found in proteins sources such as soyabean meal and rapeseed meal.

Tannins

However, to combat this, forage peas contain naturally occurring tannins which bind to the protein, protecting it from microbial breakdown in the rumen and allowing it to be digested in the small intestine along with by-pass proteins.

Yield And Feed Quality

Average dry matter (DM) yield 4-6 tonnes per hectare (1.6-2.4t/acre)

Average fresh yield 20-30t/ha (8-12t/acre)

DM 20-25 per cent

Crude protein 16-20 per cent

Digestibility value 62-64 per cent

Metabolisable energy 10.5MJ/kg DM