Risk mitigation for pulse growers: expanding markets by feeding frost-damaged faba beans to pigs

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.