| Beans |
| Introduction |
| Field Beans are legumes mainly grown for
human consumption in Europe. There is a large demand for
the food grade product for consumer foods such as baked
beans, although varieties are now often grown purely for
animal feeding. |
| Origin |
| UK and other temperate countries. |
| Nutritional Information |
| They are an ideal protein source with good
levels of energy from starch. High in Lysine but, like
the pea, it is low in Methionine and Cystine, with a low
fibre level. Spring beans are higher in protein than
winter varieties. They are rich in thiamin and phosphorus.
Often interchanged with peas in a ration, although anti-nutritive
factors mean they are a second best to peas. Some of the
starch (18%) is unfermented in the rumen. They have a
high phosphorous content, although its availability may
be variable. The oil present is saturated. |
| Colour/Texture |
| Mid brown/green large, near oval, but flat
seed. |
| Palatability |
| Can be unpalatable, but this can be
overcome when fed in a mixture. |
| Limits on Usage |
| They contain tannins, found mainly in the
hulls, and may reduce protein digestibility, and some
trypsin inhibitors, although new low tannin varieties are
grown. Urease, phytates, haemagglutinins and glucosides
are regularly present, meaning heat treatment is often
necessary. The anti-nutritional factors are removed by
processing, and care should be taken to stop mould growth
after processing. High inclusion rates may limit
performance and careful mineral supplementation is
essential. |
| Recommended Maximum Inclusion Rates % |
| Calf |
5 |
Creep |
0 |
Chick |
0 |
| Dairy |
20 |
Weaner |
0 |
Broiler |
5 |
| Beef |
20 |
Grower |
7.5 |
Breeder |
5 |
| Lamb |
5 |
Finisher |
10 |
Layer |
5 |
| Ewe |
20 |
Sow |
10 |
|
|
|
| Handling/Storage |
| They are usually rolled (cracked),
coarsely ground or steam/micronised flaked, which
improves the starch digestibility. Can go slightly mood
in storage, especially when ground, reducing their
palatability. they are usually flaked for younger calves
and sheep, coarsely ground for adult cattle and finely
ground for non-ruminants. Beans should be dry before
processing. |