Feed Pea Prices

[craig]

I sold my feed peas back in December, January for $5.00 per bushel to a local feed mill. Since then soybean meal has gone through the roof and yet feed peas are still being quoted for barely over $5.00.I had an interesting conversation the other day. It was commented that one mill was blending peas and meat meal on a one to one basis to produce a cheap protein source. That was short lived as meat meal climbed in value over $100.00 per tonne in one week. The truth is that producers don't understand the value of peas in a ration and seem quite prepared to give them away. Message is do your homework. Protein will likely remain in short supply till new crop arrives.

[charliep]

Craig

Agree with what you have said. An objection I hear from feed mills is issues around keeping number of storage bins to a minimum/their inability to enter into supply agreements. That is, a feed mill needs access 52 weeks a year. You can enter into longer term supply agreements on soymeal/have it landed in their mill on a regular basis without much hassle.

Another note is that feed peas have as much fit into rations for the energy side as for protein. Even when protein is expensive, it is still the cheaper nutrient requirement. With hopes I don't embarass to much on my knowledge of animal nutrition, a 14 % hog finisher ration with 12 % protein feed wheat as the energy source doesn't require much soymeal. Having said that, soybean meal at three times the price of peas puts real incentive to include more of the latter into rations (if there can be found).

Are any lower grade lentils/kabuli chick peas getting included in rations? Talked to Eduardo Beltraneno (Pork specialist, AAFRD) and he reminded of some of the work being done with fababeans.

[craig]

Charlie. Just a little frustration on my side. I think the problem is more one coming from the grower and not understanding the feed value. I would agree that most of the pea production has focused on human consumption and if you don't go into the feed market often then you are at a disadvantage. We do know now that synethic lysine has an impact on pea price. I would also agree that peas are valued on energy but that taken into consideration feed wheat prices are also up which should relate to a higher feed pea value. What producers need is access to least cost formulation programs where feed prices are entered to determine a reasonable value. As someone who often sells peas into the local feed market I don't mind being reasonable in pricing but I also don't want to give my crop away.

[melvill]

Another comment on peas for feed that I heard from a nutritionist friend of mine who works for a large feedmill is the huge inconsistancy in nutrient content. He says that three different super-B loads of peas from the same geographic area can have three significantly different protein levels. They can probably blend, if they have enough bin space, but under the current pricing regime there is no way to reward a higher protein product and discount a lower protein content. Soybean meal, on the other hand, is purchased on a guaranteed protein content basis.

[Incognito]

Craig - dont know where u r from but feed peas have been at $5.25 for old crop and $4.75 for new crop since last Friday at some points in SK.