Home grown proteins Testing the options Sprouting seeds

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Home grown proteins – Testing the options Sprouting seeds and pulses for livestock feed

Home grown proteins – Testing the options Sprouting seeds and pulses for livestock feed Liz Bowles Head of Farming Soil Association lbowles@soilassociation. org wwww. innovativefarmers. org

Sprouting seeds and pulses for livestock feed § The field lab approach § Origin

Sprouting seeds and pulses for livestock feed § The field lab approach § Origin of the sprouted seeds and pulses field lab § Experimental question § Progress to date

FIELDLAB APPROACH § Farmers join a group § Each group has a coordinator §

FIELDLAB APPROACH § Farmers join a group § Each group has a coordinator § Groups are matched to a researcher § Research finding can be provided § Groups share findings via the web portal § We spread the word • “From advice takers to advice makers” SPONSORS

Feeding sprouted cereals and pulses to livestock § This field lab seeks to investigate

Feeding sprouted cereals and pulses to livestock § This field lab seeks to investigate if there any benefits from feeding sprouted cereal and pulse seeds to livestock § No rigorous performance trials have been conducted to date

What do we know about feeding sprouted seeds and pulses to livestock? § Research

What do we know about feeding sprouted seeds and pulses to livestock? § Research conducted in Australia, Iran and the USA § Research / anecdotal evidence suggests that substituting concentrates with sprouts allows reductions in total concentrates fed at a given level of animal performance

Nutritional changes on sprouting

Nutritional changes on sprouting

Experimental questions? § Quantifying the benefit in use: Is there a benefit of feeding

Experimental questions? § Quantifying the benefit in use: Is there a benefit of feeding sprouted seeds compared to un-sprouted seeds (animal health and nutrition)? § Cost/benefit: If there is a benefit, is it large enough to overcome the growing costs? § Scalability: If there could be a cost benefit how can on farm production of sprouts be made practicable?

What have we learnt so far? § 1 kg seeds produces 6. 25 kg

What have we learnt so far? § 1 kg seeds produces 6. 25 kg after 6 days sprouting § Dry matter 8 -18% § Analysis of sprouts complicated § Some evidence of improvements in nutritional profile improving digestibility and animal performance § Some evidence of heightened levels of protein and energy; lysine and some vitamins and reduced starch in DM § Some evidence of animal health benefits

What have we learnt so far? § Germination is improved by pre treatment of

What have we learnt so far? § Germination is improved by pre treatment of the seeds § It is possible to grow sprouts on a continuous belt system § Key issue is the cost of growing and feeding sprouts

Next steps § Trials are to start with laying hens in January 2016 §

Next steps § Trials are to start with laying hens in January 2016 § Ongoing monitoring with sprouts and beef cattle § On conclusion of the hen trial a meeting will be called to review findings

Thank you

Thank you