Forage legumes for a cool climate

This note considers the yield and quality of a range of alternative legume-based forages grown under cool wet temperate climate conditions in Scotland.

Changing consumer expectations of farming is providing opportunities for more local and sustainable protein sourcing for livestock feed, especially in the dairy industry. We have demonstrated that crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), red clover (Trifolium pratens), pea (Pisum sativum), lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), pea/barley, and lupin/barley mixtures can be successfully grown in a cool wet temperate climate. Red clover was highest yielding with a similar protein content compared to the other legume options and grass-clover mixtures.