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Collaborative project: Winter vetch as whole plants: Potential as preceding crop to maize and in the feeding of fattening pigs. Coordination (WickGanz)
Project
Project code: 2818EPS019
Contract period: 24.08.2020
- 31.03.2024
Budget: 665,523 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: crop production, animal feed, feed crop production, other legumes, sustainability, animal nutrition, pigs
In the project, different varieties of common vetch (Vicia villosa), Pannonian Vetch (Vicia pannonica) and Narbonne Vetch (Vicia narbonensis) are tested regarding their suitability for winter intercropping in Northern Germany, their preceding crop effect on maize and their suitability as high-protein, riboflavin-supplying feedstuff for fattening pigs. The vetch cultivars are cultivated at the Thuenen Institute of Organic Farming. In a field trial over three years the preceding crop effect of different types and varieties of winter vetches in pure stand and in a mixture with cereals on the yield of silage maize are examined. In a further trial, the variation of the concentration of valuable and antinutritive substances are investigated in pure stand winter vetches depending on the development stage. The plant material of this trial is also used for laboratory tests of the ensiling capacity of vetches as whole plants. In an acceptance trial in the first year and a performance trial in the second year, the suitability of the silages as feedstuffs for fattening pigs is tested at the Thuenen Institute of Organic Agriculture. In addition, the prececal digestibility of nutrients of winter vetch silages in fattening pigs is determined at the University of Halle-Wittenberg. Analyses of the feed value (valuable and antinutritive ingredients, energy and digestibility) of the whole plant as fresh material and silage will contribute to derive recommendations for the use of the whole plant as feedstuff for monogastric animals. The transfer of knowledge takes place via presentations on the fields, at scientific conferences and events for practitioners as well as via publications in scientific and practice-oriented journals. In addition, the project results are summarised in a practical information sheet.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Production
- Specialised crops
- Animal nutrition
- Organic Farming
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
