Following on from my previous article on the role of UK Agriculture on reducing its methane contribution and achieving Carbon Zero, I look to the role of legumes and high-quality grass.

Legume?

• Peas, Beans, Peanuts, Lentils, Soya Beans, Clover & Lucerne – grown in a pod.
• High in protein & carbohydrate but low in fat
• Humans need to cook at some point to destroy lectins (resist digestion)

Ruminants can digest,

• 40-50% Legume fibre
• 60-70% Grass fibre

Lignin is the plant support to hold crops up and support the seed head.  Lignin is undigestible and much depends on its % level; studies have looked at reducing the lignin element, however this has led to reduced yields and crop collapse.

Legumes digest faster 12% (16-7%), whilst grass digests at 10% (14-5%).  Legumes contain less fibre and the energy comes from cell solubles.  Legumes are energy deficient, so they suit partnering with maize silage for better efficiency.  Lucerne leaves can remain in the rumen for 25 hours whilst the stems can remain for 33 hours.

Tannins will protect a good proportion of legume proteins from microbial breakdown in the rumen leading to more bypass protein (absorbed by animal) and less nitrogen excretion.  This is efficient use of nitrogen and reduces the amount of carbon made into methane.  Tannins are toxic to Methanogenic bacteria therefore inhibiting their progress and reducing methane.

Meanwhile high-quality grass increases DLWG and yield per kilogram of dry matter allowing better digestion and less lignin.

If you would like to know more, then please contact Wesley at wesleyhabershon@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office