Key Points:
- As part of a project evaluating grain legumes for animal feeds over the last 4 years, faba beans has appeared as a promising crop.
- There have been several agronomic trials over the last 3 seasons including plant populations, disease control and time of sowing.
- Fertilisers had no effect on grain yield.
- Fungicides did not improve yield in 2004/05 but did in 2005/06 and 2006/07 when more disease was evident. Insecticides also gave a small yield increase in one trial in 2006/07.
- Winter sown crops yielded more than spring sown at Kairanga but there was no difference in yield at Greendale in the 2006/07 season.
- Part 2 (Arable Update Pulses No.24) covers more management trials from 2006/07.