UK: Lupins To Replace Soymeal?
According to All About Feed, researchers from the livestock and arable sectors in the UK have co-operated on a five-year Defra sponsored project investigating whether lupins could become a viable source of home-grown protein in animal feed.
The study concluded that lupins may be used as a direct replacement for soya meal, thanks to high crude protein levels of 30-40pc, they say.
The crop also requires relatively low input and could provide UK farmers with a valuable alternative break crop with a defined end market, they add.
Ron Stobart, research projects manager for project partner The Arable Group, said: "One of the most important areas we've looked at is the crop's agronomy - what nutrients it needs, how to keep it weed-free and how it grows in the field."
"We now understand much better how it fits into a rotation and what benefits it can bring to following crops.
"We've also looked at growing it in organic systems, given the opportunity that lupins present to those looking for GM-free protein sources."
With around 77% of the EU's protein feed requirements each year shipped in from outside the region, much of it GM material, feeding lupins ticks plenty of boxes for the environmentalists.
For more info on feeding lupins see here
The study concluded that lupins may be used as a direct replacement for soya meal, thanks to high crude protein levels of 30-40pc, they say.
The crop also requires relatively low input and could provide UK farmers with a valuable alternative break crop with a defined end market, they add.
Ron Stobart, research projects manager for project partner The Arable Group, said: "One of the most important areas we've looked at is the crop's agronomy - what nutrients it needs, how to keep it weed-free and how it grows in the field."
"We now understand much better how it fits into a rotation and what benefits it can bring to following crops.
"We've also looked at growing it in organic systems, given the opportunity that lupins present to those looking for GM-free protein sources."
With around 77% of the EU's protein feed requirements each year shipped in from outside the region, much of it GM material, feeding lupins ticks plenty of boxes for the environmentalists.
For more info on feeding lupins see here
