The Potential of Whole-Crop Vicia Faba for Ensilage

Abstract

The potential of spring-sown faba beans (Vicia faba) for whole-crop ensilage has been investigated in Northern Ireland. Using seed rates of 240 kg ha−1, tic bean cultivars (var. minor) have given DM yields of about 10 t ha−1 at the end of July or in early August. Well preserved silages with pH 3.8–4.1 and an average of 15% crude protein in the DM were obtained using a formic acid additive. In a feeding trial with Friesian steers, intake of two faba bean silages (7.7 and 7.8 kg d−1) and of an aftermath grass silage (7.9) were higher than that of a cereal with pea silage (7.3). Carcase gains were greatest on grass silage (0.81 kg d−1), followed by the later cut bean silage (0.66), the earlier cut bean silage (0.59) and the cereal with pea silage (0.57). Establishment of undersown grass in faba beans was normally good, but was favoured by lower bean seeding rates and earlier cutting. Whole-crop faba beans appear to be an attractive alternative to whole-crop cereals as an annual silage crop.