Fababeans

[ado089]

Has anyone grown them? How did they turn out? Was is profitable?

[boarderbloke]

do they fix N?

[TOM4CWB]

ado89,

We grew them for 5 years, They have moisture stress problems during flowering much more than peas. On our farm 25% less than peas.

The market is bsically a feed market... if really push with a discount sometimes Parheim will take at a good discount to yellow peas. Hog farms with specialty rations are the most stable feed market.

They have not been competitive with yellow peas... fix about the same N over the long term... release it slower than pea roots over more years.

Hope this helps.

[ado089]

Tom what area are you in? I'm in the transition from black to dark brown north of Biggar.

[furrowtickler]

Is that area faily prone to early fall frosts ado?

[ado089]

no, I'm way up on a hill. Usualy pretty open falls. It still hasn't really froze there yet this year. The neighbors got their june seeded wheat off frost free last week.

[charliep]

Likely already know but would likely grow the white seeded/low tannin varieties. Much more palatable for hogs. Will defer to others for specific comments on varieties/end markets.

[Klause]

I've grown them... Fatima was the variety. They do fix quite a bit of N. They grow pretty tall, and need a LOT of water. Best suited to black, heavy clay soils. Count on swathing them and having them lay in the swath for at least two weeks. They need to cure out.

Roy Legumex buys them... Hog rations, and very limited human consumption.

Yields can get up to that 2400 - 2800lbs/ac with good conditions.

[dave4441]

boarderbloke-you know the answer to your question, do you not? Have i fallen and bumped my head?

[boarderbloke]

not all pulses produce N equally, dave

[TOM4CWB]

ado089,

We grew low tanin white snowbird fabas.

Need much water in an even application especially during flowering. Good yeilds in 2010. Fix N well. Would NEVER swath fabas. Reglone 1 week; (Gly 2) before frost and then harvest. Stops black bean problem.

If swath... make sure it will not rain. Disasters in Edmonton area with swathing... ended up rotten and unusable... stayed out over winter as they would not dry out. Late season dry down is VERY slow... I would NEVER swath them.