Alternative proteins for organic meat and milk production

View the project final report

• 2006 annual report

Commodities

• Agronomic: soybeans
• Animals: bovine, poultry, goats, swine
• Animal Products: dairy

Practices

• Animal Production: feed/forage, feed rations
• Education and Training: demonstration, extension
• Farm Business Management: new enterprise development

Protein crops grown locally without chemicals would reduce the cost of producing organic milk and meat. Protein crops would also provide an alternative to farmers seeking replacements for traditional crops and production methods. This project evaluated the yields and cultural requirements of organically grown winter field peas and soybeans. Plots were grown with and without irrigation, yields recorded, nutrient content measured, and economic potential determined. Field scale crop production and animal feeding trials followed in 2006-07. This crops can benefit organic crop rotations and be fed economically to animals.

Develop alternative crops, especially those high in protein, which can be grown organically by local farmers and used in the region by local animal producers. A subsequent feeding trial evaluated:
1. acceptability of minimal processed field peas and Oregon soybeans to dairy cattle, and
2. milk production and intake of a total mixed ration (TMR) when these proteins replaced the entire conventional protein supplement.