Feeding field beans: Watch the milk quality

Dairy farmers considering using field beans as a source of protein in the diet for their cows should be cautious about them reducing milk quality. With imported proteins subject to frequent price volatility farmers are looking at other raw materials to supplement cows’ diets with home grown alternatives including field beans. The main issue with feeding field beans is that while they have a moderate crude protein content, 280 g/kg dry matter, they also have a relatively high starch content, 4