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.
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%.
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 ReportUsing 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.
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Feed Guide
Download the pea feed guide for a comprehensive overview of using peas in feed and aquaculture.
Download the GuideUsing 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.