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CONTRACTS Fatima fababean
and medium fababean contracts are available on behalf of Roy Legumex Inc. with
delivery to Fisher Seeds Ltd. in Dauphin Mb.
NEWSLETTERS
Winter Wheat Production
Spring is the time to start planning winter wheat production. In Manitoba,
winter wheat is best sown on stubble; canola provides the most desired stubble,
however cereal crop stubble will also provide snow cover but an increased risk
of disease will be present.
Select an early maturing canola variety and sow early to allow the crop to be
harvested in time to allow sowing of winter wheat by the optimum date of
September 15. The CWB offers a $10/MT premium on select varieties suitable
for the milling market.
Roy Legumex Inc.
FABABEANS FOR MANITOBA
INTRODUCTION
The fababean /broadbean species (Vicia faba ssp.) is probably native to North
Africa and the near East. German varieties were brought into Manitoba in 1971 in
the hope that fabas would provide an on-farm source of protein for livestock.
Over the next ten years, management practices were developed and the better
production areas were identified, but acreage never reached 50,000 acres in the
Prairies and has been at less than 12,000 acres over most of the last 20 years.
ADAPTATION
Fababeans grow best in cool moist conditions on the heavier soils. They do not
tolerate salinity (optimal pH in the 6.5 to 7.5 range) or drought or extensive
flooding or high temperature.
VARIETIES (FOR 2008) AND SEEDING RATES
CDC FATIMA (500-550 grams/1000 seeds) currently our most acceptable to food
markets - plant 160-190 lbs./acre.
SNOWBIRD - Low tanin, suitable for livestock feed, as a source of protein.
COMMON MEDIUM FABA (600-700 grams/1000 seeds) also known as Chinese broadbeans -
preferred by some of our food buyers, early maturing, does particularly well in
the northwest - plant at least 200 lbs./acre.
SEEDING
Make sure your seeding equipment can handle the size of the seed you have.
Treat the seed with inoculant (favas are the best nitrogen - fixing annual
legume in the temperate zone).
Plant as early as possible (min. soil temperature of 5°C at planting depth
between 2 and 4 inches) preferably not later than May 20.
FERTILITY
Nitrogen is not recommended unless residual is below 15-20 lbs. Phosphate is
usually applied at a rate of about 25 lbs/acre, as well as sulfur, zinc and
possibly other micronutrients as determined by the soil test.
ROTATION AND DISEASES
Fababeans are subject to many of the same root, stem and leaf diseases that
affect other broad-leaved crops, so rotation should be similar i.e. one legume
or oilseed crop every 3 to 4 years. Use only disease-free or treated seed.
WEEDS
Check your crop rotation guide for registered products. Several products
registered for other broadleaf crops but not for fababeans (due to small
acreage) are widely used.
INSECTS
By far the worst insect problems in fababeans is the tarnished plant bug or
lygus bug. It is blamed for causing the black spots and perforations which cause
down grading or make the beans unacceptable to food buyers. While the "economic"
threshold has not been determined (there is no yield loss), the loss of quality
can lead to an income reduction of up to $100/acre on an average yield. Net
sweeps every second or third day starting mid-July are recommended in several
spots in the field: should the field look promising in other ways, spraying is
likely worthwhile even if you only find 1 or 2 lygus per dozen sweeps. Fields
should be monitored into the first week of August.
Aphids are the other potential problem as they may carry the bean mosaic virus,
which may cause premature death of the faba plant. Again, if there is an early
infestation in July and the field looks good, a one-shot spray will provide
low-cost control. In many cases in the past, an insecticide application for
aphids appears to have controlled the lygus bug well, providing the insecticide
used is effective against both insects.
Occasionally, grasshoppers and blister beetles may need to be controlled.
SWATHING
Fabas can be left standing until 40% of the pods are black or turning black
(many leaves will have yellowed and fallen by then). However, since there is
normally little maturing during September, they should be cut in the first week
of September even if they are still all green. There is less frost damage if the
beans have had a chance to "cure" in the swath for a few days.
HARVEST
Fabas are dry at 15-16% moisture, but are often combined at higher moistures,
then aerated/dried down to about 14% to prevent heating in storage.
STORAGE
Usually fababeans have to be stored at least for a while until buyers can assess
overall quality and forward samples to potential customers. Fabas heat easily
especially if there is high dockage. Also check bin tops in late winter/early
spring before starting to load to ensure top layer is still in good condition.
WORLD PRODUCTION
In the 1990's, global production has averaged about 3.5 million tonnes annually,
with China accounting for little more than half the total. Egypt has been
producing up to half a million tonnes. England grows about 2/3 of Europe's half
million tonnes. Other relatively important countries have been Australia,
Morocco, Turkey and other mid-Eastern areas. Our Canadian production is
insignificant at 5 to 10 thousand tonnes.
Recent trends have seen reductions in China, Egypt and Morocco, Turkey and
several other Mediterranean areas, while Australia has doubled production in the
last 2 years (to 300,000 tonnes this winter 2001-2002).
WORLD TRADE
China's dominant position in the world market is seriously challenged by
Australia and the UK in all the major bulk markets of the middle East and North
Africa. Average annual trade is in the 250,000 - 300,000 tonnes range with Egypt
accounting for around 80% of the imports.
OUTLOOK AND CONCLUSION
Due to quality and freight considerations, Canada has had difficulty competing
in the export markets with China, Australia and the UK. However a minimum
production should be maintained to supply the small North American ethnic market
and a few offshore countries which still buy in bags.
Testing of new varieties is important to find lines more acceptable in both food
and feed markets, including tannin-free types. Other avenues to explore might be
contract production for specific customers abroad, more research into the snack
food potential, etc.
Finally, there is an "attitude" consideration. Despite averaging less than half
a ton an acre, Australians now seed over 500,000 acres of fababeans as a "break
crop", replacing fallow. The income covers the cash cost, but the benefits show
up in the next 2 crops as nitrogen fertilizer requirements are reduced, wheat
protein is higher and soil cultivation is easier.
In conclusion, fababeans are a viable option in the heavier soil zones with
adequate moisture supply and a long enough season.
F. G. Beaudette
Fababean Newsletter - February 2002
To all recent growers,
You can help us maximize your returns from fababeans by:
Monitoring the field for bugs, especially the lygus bug and spraying as
required.
Bringing or sending in a representative sample as soon as the crop is in the
bin. If the quality is decent, we like 5 to 10 lbs. If you have more than 1
field, or harvest a field at different times, we need samples of each.
Sampling early - if we don't know what we have, we can't sell it.
Again this year, our contract will be open-priced. There is plenty of certified
CDC Fatima seed and selfstik inoculant available. Since we still have to keep
track of Fatima seed sales or use for the Crop Development Center in Saskatoon,
we prefer a contract for Fatima, but not necessarily for mediums. Please call if
you have any questions.
Best Regards
F. G. Beaudette (Retired)
Roy Legumex Inc. 250 Caron St. St-Jean-Baptiste, Manitoba., Canada R0G 2B0
Phone: (204) 758-3597 Fax: (204) 758-3260 |
