Protein crops in Ireland

Protein crop options

Field beans – spring or winter

Peas

Lupins

(Soya beans)

Beans are most popular protein

Benefits

Beans generally profitable

Helped by Protein Crop aid

Market is real

Yield variability is also real

Aid is critical

Market wants more protein

Varieties becoming more versatile

Wider sowing date window

Earlier maturity

Concerns

Crows

Disease resistance

Harvest date

Field beans - Growing

Soya beans – a new option?

The main international plant protein source

Crop is moving further north and south over time

Possibility of non-GM protein source

Has been expanding in the UK

Varieties seem quite versatile

Irish grown soya beans

Irish grown soya beans

Soya beans

Not yet a field ready crop

Yield bit by dryness in 2018

Field selection is important; moisture / level / moisture

Harvesting is a challenge

Yield needs to be evaluated – 3 t/ha potential

Processing and feeding constraints

Crop value – Irish, Non-GM, Local

Needs support