Forage Lupins / Triticale
Forage Lupin Seed
The changing nature of farming has meant that many farmers have now started to grow more home grown protein to reduce the requirement of expensive purchased imported protein concentrates. Now with the inclusion of lupins in dairy and beef rations high feed levels of digestible fibre, energy and protein are available .These promote improved rumen health in dairy cattle where there has been a substantial reduction in the risk of rumen acidosis, and improved live weight gains in beef stock. This increased rumen health can be attributed to Lupins providing animals with lower levels of starch and higher levels of digestible fibre. The use of whole -crop lupins has in many cases led to increases in dairy cows forage dry matter intakes. PDS can ascertain that the use of home grown high protein forages will have added benefits in animal health and production where the protein is used mainly in the small intestine due to the higher % of digestible undegradeable protein (DUP) thus reducing the protein wastage seen with most diets PDS has also seen improved herd health-No cases of displaced abomasums. Using crops that require less nitrogen fertilizer is important with the introduction of Nitrogen Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) in parts of the U.K. and the increasing cost of nitrogen fertiliser.
The lupin plant, like other grain legumes (beans, peas, and lentils), fixes atmospheric nitrogen and produces seed high in protein.
Triticale
Triticale''s major strength is its versatility for use as feed, wholecrop silage, grazing, cover crops, and straw and as an alternative source of protein in formulated rations for monogastrics, ruminants and poultry. It''s particularly high in protein with impressive amounts of lysine and a good source of vitamins "B". It has more thiamine and folic acid than both wheat and rye plus it has many potential benefits to offer arable and livestock producers. It combines rye abilities to survive cold temperatures with the disease resistance of wheat. When added to a rotation, triticale can increase yields of other crops in the rotation.
Triticale is the stabilized hybrid of wheat (Triticum) and rye (Secale). Poland, Germany, China, and France account for nearly 90 percent of world triticale production. Globally, triticale is used primarily for livestock feed.