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AS-1224

A Guide to Feeding Field to

Nutrient Content and Feeding Recommendations for , Dairy, Sheep, Swine and

Vern Anderson Field ( sativum L.) is Field pea or “dry pea” is marketed (Editor) an annual cool-season as a dry, shelled product for either Robert Harrold crop that is grown around the human as “split peas” or as a Doug Landblom world on over 25 million acres. livestock feed. Field pea contributes Greg Lardy significant amounts of , Blaine Schatz In 2001, 3.6 million acres of field pea , and amino acids J.W. Schroeder was grown in , while 100,000 to all species but is increasingly acres were planted in North Dakota. considered an excellent ingredient North Dakota State University Significant expansion has occurred in in beef, dairy, swine and poultry North Dakota and surrounding states rations due to their nutrient density. in recent years and this region is now Field pea (test weight = 60 pounds the primary source of feed pea in the per bushel) can be produced with . In 2001, North Dakota conventional equipment and is produced nearly 40% of all field pea are easy to grow, handle, process, grown in the U.S., but total U.S. and feed. Several varieties are production equaled only 13% of the available and each has some unique Canadian crop. Currently, about 30% characteristics. color (green of the domestic dry pea production [preferred] or yellow) and seed size is consumed in the food and feed [large preferred] are two traits that markets within the United States and impact acceptance in the human the remainder exported. Competitive edible market. However, all field export markets suggest optimum pea varieties may be considered feed value of field pea may be captured by grade peas. The crude protein content local or regional use of this relatively North Dakota State University of field pea may vary due to the Fargo, North Dakota 58105 new and nutrient dense feedstuff. influence of variety and environment. JANUARY 2002 Because of this variation, field pea Markets are developing with of ruminal degradation for both should be tested for protein for increasing knowledge and realization and protein are important to inclusion in balanced livestock of the nutritional value of peas. ruminants. Field pea complements rations. Some growers utilize peas in their most other and can serve as a own livestock enterprises, but pellet binder for manufactured feeds. Field pea yields compare favorably commercial demand is increasing with spring wheat with generally from feed manufacturers and higher yields expected for field pea commercial livestock enterprises. within some regions. Yield data Economic Comparison from North Dakota State University of Field Pea research centers shows that field This guide to feeding field peas pea perform well across the state. Any economic comparison of field has a companion publication, pea with other feeds must consider Projections are for continued EB 76 Feeding Field Pea to expansion of field pea acres in both crude protein and energy Livestock, that is a thorough content as well as some intrinsic North Dakota and surrounding literature review of recent states as growers recognize that the palatability factors. When considering field pea research for those peas, crude protein will usually be crop is well adapted the region and interested in more details. contributes many positive benefits the first limiting nutrient so initial to . calculations are made on a protein basis only. In Table 2, cost per unit Field pea may also be grown as a Nutrients in Field Pea of protein is extrapolated to cost per forage crop, where it is typically ton or bushel when the unit cost of Field pea compares favorably with planted as a mixture with protein is equal, in this case $.189 other grains and co-products for grains to enhance the protein per pound of crude protein on a dry several nutrients. Peas are considered concentration of the forage. Field matter basis. Another method of a crude protein source (Table 1) in pea in such mixtures will increase calculating relative value for only most diets. Energy levels are similar digestibility, protein, and energy protein would be to establish a range to corn for most livestock species content of the forage. The amount of of prices for a respective commodity, with starch ( 54%) and digestible improvement depends on proportion such as meal at $150, $200, fiber (hemicellulose fraction 7%) of peas in the forage, maturity at and $250 per ton with equivalent accounting for most of this fraction. harvest, and variety. Most growers prices for protein resulting in field is a modest contributor at 1.55%. want equal populations peas valued on a per bushel basis of Amino acids are important to swine from cereal and peas requiring $2.31, $3.08, and $3.84, respectively. and poultry but not a major concern approximately 70% peas and 30% to ruminants as microbes in the cereal grains by weight as a seed mix. It must be noted that field peas add rumen provide the required amino Growing peas with cereal grains will significantly to the energy in any diet acids for beef and dairy and commonly increase protein content when included as a protein source. sheep. However, rate and extent of the forage from 2 to 4 percentage Formulating least cost rations with points. The mixed forage can be harvested as hay or silage, with Table 1. Analytical comparison of field peas to other grains. potential for double cropping if adequate moisture is available. Field Wheat Soy Peas Corn Barley Oats Midds Hulls

Field pea intended for the feed ——————————————— Percent ——————————————— market is handled like most other Dry Matter 89 89 89 89 90 91 commodities. Storage on-farm or ————————————— Dry matter basis ————————————— at local elevators positions Crude Protein 24.5 9.5 13.2 13.1 17.8 12.2 the crop to be readily moved to Acid Detergent Fiber 8.0 3.3 5.8 14.0 12.2 11.0 processors or livestock operations Neutral Detergent Fiber 15.1 10.8 18.1 29.3 40.7 66.1 through traditional truck and rail Estimated TDN 90 90 85 83 81 80 connections. Specific elevators may Fat 1.55 4.30 2.25 5.05 5.05 2.10 be prepared to make unit train Calcium .05 .03 .05 .10 .11 .53 shipments of field peas to major Phosphorous .48 .31 .37 1.73 .95 .18 domestic livestock operations or to Potassium 1.01 .33 .56 1.89 1.10 1.29 ports for international feed markets. Adapted from NRC, 1984, 1996 Table 2. Equivalent cost of field peas to other crude protein sources. Feeding Recommendations for Field Soybean Canola Sunflower Peas* Meal Meal Meal Meal Dairy Cattle Crude protein, %, The versatility of field pea is evident (DM basis) 24.5 47.8 40.2 35.6 27.9 as peas have been used successfully Equivalent value in pre-ruminant baby calf diets as per ton, $ 83.33** 162 137 121 95 well as lactating cow diets. In starter * Does not include a value for higher energy content of field peas. diets, ground field peas can be ** Equal to $2.50 per 60 lb bushel included at up to 40 to 50% of the concentrate replacing portions of corn, barley, and/or soybean meal. field peas for any species or class control diet when peas were included Equal animal performance was of livestock should be done with at 50% or more of the concentrate. observed in trials in and knowledge of nutrient requirements The economics of using field peas at . Field pea can be used as of the animal and nutrients available levels higher than 25% of the total the sole protein source for growing in feeds being considered. A basic diet should be carefully considered. heifers. understanding of nutrition is needed Energy values (NEg) for field peas to develop practical, productive, and in growing diets can be as high as Because dry peas degrade slowly economical diets. Ration balancing .71 Mcal/lb. Finishing cattle have but thoroughly in the rumen, highly software is available and nutritionists demonstrated some improved productive cows in early lactation may be consulted for assistance. The performance traits with up to require additional escape protein brief reviews to follow provide rules 20% field peas in the diet. from sources other than peas. of thumb in using field pea for beef, Young cows are also more susceptible Field pea works well in beef cow dairy, sheep, swine, and poultry. than second lactation and older cows supplements at most any level. to lack of escape protein in the diet. The nutrient density will provide In Alberta trials, field pea replaced additional benefits as fewer pounds Feeding Recommendations for soybean meal as a protein source of feed will be required for the same without affecting feed intake, Beef Cattle nutrition, resulting in lower yield, or 4% fat corrected milk, Field pea is a very palatable feedstuff transportation and storage costs. provided escape protein requirements for all classes of beef cattle. This Field pea may be fed in place of range are met by distillers grains or other feed may best be used in diets where cake as a protein and energy source sources. Field pea can be used at up nutrient density and palatability are for wintering cows or incorporated to 25% of the concentrate. Field pea important, such as creep feeds and into range cake at any level required. effectively improved ruminal pH receiving diets. Creep feeds with 33% Field pea makes an excellent binder when substituted for barley in to 67% field peas produced optimum for pelletting or cubing. lactating cow diets. Processing field pea has not been investigated animal performance and return. No anti-nutritional traits were in lactating cow diets, but the This formulation may provide observed in field pea fed to feedlot preference for all other grains is to excess crude protein as creep feed and breeding beef cattle at up to 76% grind relatively fine. Small particle recommendations call for no more of total dry matter intake. While field size allows maximum digestion than 16%. Weaned calves can be fed pea processing has not been proven during the relatively rapid passage pea at essentially any proportion of to be beneficial, additional research rate of digesta through the the concentrate when grains and is planned to define any threshold gastrointestinal tract. supplements make up 60% or less of of response from grinding or rolling. the total diet. Dietary crude protein Both starch and protein from field requirements for growing steers and peas degrade slowly but relatively heifers are based on gain goals, with thoroughly in the rumen, with only higher protein required for faster modest levels of escape protein growth. Maximum recommendations (<25% of crude protein). Slow are 13.5 to 14% crude protein in the starch fermentation makes peas a diet. Peas fed at more than 25%0 of potentially desirable complement the total diet will probably result in for stabilizing ruminal pH when excess crude protein, but like the more rapidly fermented feeds like creep feed trials, slightly improved wheat and barley are fed. performance was observed over the Feeding Recommendations for For growing finishing pigs, Feeding Recommendations for Sheep substantial evidence exists that field Poultry pea can replace all of the soybean “Experienced shepherds esteem meal and a portion of the basal grain Several different classes of poultry field peas for fattening sheep . . .“ in wheat , barley, and/or hullless-oat can utilize field pea in their diets (from Morrison’s Feeds and Feeding, grain based diets. Pea/corn diets with proper consideration for 20th Edition, 1946). This historical will require an additional 4 to 8% meeting nutrient requirements. comment is supported by recent protein supplement due to the low Peas can be a viable energy source, research using field pea in growing protein content in corn. Growing as well as a protein source since the and finishing lamb diets. Peas appear diets for swine may contain up to profile closely matches to have a net energy value at least 40% field pea. requirements for many of the poultry equal to corn and in one trial 14% species. Low levels of trypsin greater than corn. Peas were Recommendations from finishing inhibitors in spring-seeded peas successfully included at up to 45% of research indicate pigs perform well allow feeding without roasting. the feedlot diet, replacing a portion of on diets that contain from 10 to 43% Grinding is the preferred processing the corn and all of the soybean meal. field pea. Amino acids are important method for peas in all poultry diets, Peas appear to be an excellent source in growing and finishing swine diet but fines should be avoided. of energy, protein, and formulation, especially methionine. For laying hens, peas can be fed at up minerals for growing and finishing Options include adding synthetic to 40% of the diet without severely lambs. Least cost rations should methinone or mixing peas with affecting performance, but 10% is be balanced based on relative feed canola meal, as it is high in a more practical level with equal costs and expected performance. methionine. Strong evidence supports performance. Broilers and turkeys No specific research with peas and blending canola meal with field pea can consume 20 to 30% field pea breeding flocks is known, but the to make an excellent replacement without affecting performance. limited research data in feedlot and for soybean meal. Addition of the Commercial xylanases and knowledge of reproduction in other enzymes phytase (phosphorous betaglucanases added to poultry diets ruminant species suggests no metabolism) and xylanase increased protein digestibility in diets problems would be anticipated (fiber digestion) further increased with high percentages of field pea. in ewe diets. performance of growing pigs fed pea. Due to the shorter digestive tract and In lactating sow diets, peas can rapid passage rate, energy derived replace up to 30% of soybean meal from field pea by poultry is similar to Feeding Recommendations for without affecting performance. Anti- barley. Methionine is the first limiting Swine nutritional factors observed in other amino acid, so supplementation with annual (i.e. anti-trypsin The nutrient density and low fiber other feeds or purified sources may factor in ) are 5 to 20 times levels in field pea makes it an be recommended. As with other lower in spring-planted field pea and attractive feed for swine diets. species, comparative cost of nutrients not considered a problem in feeding Balancing these diets requires will determine the economic level field pea to swine. Field pea should appropriate complementary feeds of field peas in poultry diets. be ground or pelleted with other or supplements. Starter diets can feeds when included in swine diets. contain up to 15% ground field peas, Field pea must compete economically but extruding the peas will increase with other feeds as an energy and the maximum recommended level to protein source and can be used 20%. Early weaned pigs should weigh without affecting animal at least 20 pounds and be 20 days performance. old before introducing field peas.

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NDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University of and Applied Science, and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Sharon D. Anderson, Director, Fargo, North Dakota. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. We offer our programs and facilities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, Vietnam era veterans status, or sexual orientation; and are an equal opportunity employer. This publication will be made available in alternative formats for people with disabilities upon request, 701/231-7881. 3M-1-02 AS- 12 24