February 2024
Research results
The goal of this project was to establish digestibility coefficients and palatability of frost-damaged Faba beans for use in pig diets.
No effect on feed value; increased returns for pulse growers
The nutritional value of frost-damaged faba bean is similar to non-damaged faba bean, indicating that visual damage of beans may not hamper feed value, so pulse growers can increase returns.
Low-cost feed alternative; no effect on growth performance
Pig producers can be assured that damaged beans would result in predictable pig performance at lower feed cost. Results found no difference in growth performance feeding frost-damaged or mid-tannin, hulled or de-hulled faba beans to weanling pigs.
Dehulling offers no benefit; cost savings for pork producers
Dehulling to remove frost-damaged blackened hull or tannins concentrated on the hull had no benefit. Pork producers may therefore source nearly mature, grey to blackened, frost-damaged faba bean at reduced cost to lower feed costs. Producers must also cash carbon credits including legumes in feed formulations.
Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
Human food exports and value-added processing of faba beans are indisputable priorities but frost damage at harvest time generally occurs. Local feed markets are thus important to produce food animal protein with discounted frost-damaged, feed quality beans.
Faba bean cultivars differ in days to maturity and susceptibility to frost. Zero tannin cultivars mature earlier, but tannin cultivars offer superior frost tolerance. Unexpectedly, recent research with broiler chickens showed that frost damaged faba bean had greater energy and amino acid digestibility. Feeding frost damaged faba beans did not reduce broiler growth performance, carcass traits, and yield of saleable cuts.
This research looks to test and verify these findings on pigs, which are far more sensitive to taste and preference than chickens.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
This research aims to benefit both crop and livestock industries. This research could help producers determine what to do with frost damages faba bean, which is a harvest challenge faced annually.
For pig producers, buying lower cost frost-damages faba beans could provide an alternative feed option as long as there's no effect on nutritional value or growth performance.
How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?
Results will be shared at both pig producer and pulse grower meetings, such as the Banff Pork Seminar, Red Deer Swine Tech, FarmTech, and Pulse Regional Meetings, through presentations, articles, posters, and handouts.
Analyzed nutrient content and digestibility coefficients will be shared with feed industry nutritionists through emails and nutrition conferences. They will also help disseminate this information to pig producers.
Prairie pork boards and pulse grower associations will share information in newsletters and magazines.
Information will be shared on websites like Feed Navigator, Feedipedia, PigSite, and the Western Producer.
Farm visits will routinely be conducted to accelerate adoption.
Results will be shared via social media, and through presentations, abstracts, posters, and publications.