Sustainable Feed

The livestock sector is experiencing more pressure than ever to meet lower sustainability targets. Simple reformulation of feed rations to include peas can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of feed and the end animal product.

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Creating Sustainable Animal Feed and Livestock Products

Canada is the world’s largest producer of feed peas, a nitrogen-fixing crop with a low carbon footprint.

Feed is the largest contributor1 to the environmental impact of livestock production. However, including peas in livestock diets has been shown to reduce the environmental footprint of both pork and egg production. A recent life cycle analysis commissioned by Pulse Canada found incorporating peas into pork rations reduced the carbon impact of the feed by 28%, and the overall emissions of the pork by 18%.

Impact of Peas on Swine Feed and Pork Carbon Footprint

See how Canadian peas can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 28%.

How can livestock and meat companies meet sustainability targets without major system changes? Learn how small changes in feed blends can have a big impact on the carbon footprint of feed and end products.

Download the Report


Using Peas in Swine, Poultry and Cattle Diets

Dry peas are a starch and protein-rich feed ingredient. Including pea reduces the amount of corn and soybean meal or other protein sources in most diets. Most peas used in diets are incorporated as whole ground peas into pelleted or mashed diets at inclusion rates of 20 - 40%. However, pea fractions are becoming increasingly available and include starch, protein, and fibre fractions.

Nutritional Comparison of Feed Ingredients

Although protein levels are lower in feed peas when compared to soybean meal and faba bean, peas provided a higher NE energy to swine due to their high starch contents. Feed pea and faba bean have lower fat levels and more fibre than soybean meal and corn.

Nutrient (%, as fed)

Feed pea

Soybean meal

Faba bean

Corn

Dry matter

88.10

88.79

88.12

88.31

AMEn, kcal/kg (poultry)

2709

2230

2249

3350

NE, kcal/kg (swine)

2419

2148

2143

2672

Crude protein

22.17

43.90

27.16

8.24

Ether extract

1.2

1.24

1.30

3.48

Crude fibre

6.16

6.60

8.55

1.98

Ash

2.86

6.38

3.43

1.30

Starch

43.46

1.89

39.22

62.55

Neutral detergent fibre

12.84

9.82

13.29

9.11

Acid detergent fibre

6.90

6.66

10.33

2.88

Feed Guide

Download the pea feed guide for a comprehensive overview of using peas in feed and aquaculture.

Download the Guide

Using Faba Beans in Animal Feed

Faba beans are one of the highest soil nitrogen-fixing legumes used for both human consumption and livestock feed or fodder (hay, silage and straw). There are two major types of faba bean: tannin and low tannin (zero tannin). Low-tannin beans are the primary varieties grown in Canada and offer improved digestibility for livestock.

  • Faba Beans
    • Sustainability
    • Other

    Canadian Faba Beans: A Guide for Livestock and Aquaculture Feed

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