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Improvement of protein and energy supply in ruminants and monogastric animals by mixed cropping of maize with runner or scarlet runner beans
Project
Project code: 2813NA006, TI-OL-08-PID1524
Contract period: 01.04.2014
- 31.10.2018
Budget: 711,240 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: monogastrics, ecological farming, product quality, animal feeding
In the future, the amount of on-farm or locally produced feedstuff should increase to ensure a sustainable protein supply for farm animals. The project deals with the potential of maize to be combined with runner or scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus vulgaris resp. P. coccineus) as an unknown on-farm based mixed cropping system. In maize provenance maizebean combinations are widely used for human nutrition, but studies concerning the use in animal nutrition are still lacking. The joint research project, carried out at the Thünen-Institute of Organic Farming (FKZ 2813NA006) and the Institute of Crop and Soil Science of the Julius Kühn-Institute (FKZ 2813NA044), focuses on adapting and developing the mixed cropping system under German conditions with regard to production and the use of maize-bean-silage in cattle and pig feeding. The project has a clear interdisciplinary structure along the production chain and includes fodder production, ensilaging, determination of crude nutrients, an advanced feed assessment including secondary metabolites and digestibility, and the use of the new feedstuff in feeding trials. At the Thünen-Institute of Organic Farming (i) the mixed cropping will be optimized, (ii) silage quality will be tested, and (iii) feeding trials with cattle and pigs with the goal of an improved protein and energy supply will be examined. For this purpose, (i) field trials with regard to cultivar choice of runner beans, to seed ratios and cultivation management will be established, (ii) the ensilability on a laboratory scale with and without ensiling additives, crude nutrients and secondary ingredients of the harvested and the ensilaged material will be examined and evaluated, and (iii) feeding experiments with dairy cattle and pigs will be conducted. In cooperation with the Institute of Animal Nutrition of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute digestibility trials with sheep will be carried out.
Section overview
Subjects
- Crop Production
- Specialised crops
- Animal nutrition
- Organic Farming
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
