United Kingdom
May 30, 2025
A family-run beef, sheep and arable farm in Northumberland has become virtually self-sufficient in protein and feed requirements, by growing as much as they can in-house.
Homegrown wholecrop winter bean silage as a high protein alternative to soya, is a key part of this strategy for T Bean and Sons, near Newcastle, and has helped completely displace the need for bought-in protein feed.
Indeed, they estimate the annual benefit from growing their own feeds could be worth at least £50,000 to £60,000, so there are strong financial and efficiency benefits, as well as being more environmentally sustainable, says Wayne Bean.
“We started looking into growing our own protein several years ago – mainly because the price of purchased products was increasing quite a lot at the time, and we were never entirely happy with the consistency of the liquid molasses we used to buy.
“We initially started off growing a few acres of Fuego spring beans in 2007, but four years ago, we switched to winter beans, mainly because it gives us more herbicide options for controlling brome. Being a winter crop, it also eases the workload in the spring, as things can get quite busy around lambing, with 2,500 ewes to look after on the farm as well.”
The business now grows 20-25 ha (50-60 acres) of Tundra winter beans from Limagrain UK; a pale skin, pale hilum variety, chosen for its yield potential, reliability, protein content, and agronomics, including good standing ability.
Winter beans are grown in rotation with a number of other crops – all for feed – including 40 ha (100 acres) of LG Astronomer winter wheat for crimping, 73 ha (180 acres) of winter and spring barley (Bolton and Sienna), also for crimping, and 38 ha (95 acres) of LG Prospect maize, for silage. Fodder beet, forage rape, and grass, are also grown for the sheep flock.
Getting a better crop
A traditional plough/ power-harrow cultivation system is used to establish beans in the autumn, and Mr Bean believes it is important to keep seed rates reasonably high to drive yield and produce a better crop.
“We generally find that around 250 kg/ha is comfortable for us, and gives a crop that is better at shielding itself from pigeons and other vermin, grows tall, stands well, and produces a decent yield. Typically, we’re getting wholecrop yields from the Tundra, of around 20 t/ha (8 t/acre) on heavier ground, but that can vary quite a lot depending on the season.”
Crops are cut once pods and stems are dry enough in early September – usually a couple of weeks before the point at which beans would normally be combined.
A notable benefit of growing Tundra winter beans is the residual nitrogen that is left for the following wheat crop, Mr Bean says. “We often see a 20-30% reduction in nitrogen use on wheat after beans, and they are quite a good soil conditioner too.”
He also thinks chocolate spot is less of a problem in the Tundra winter beans, than in the spring beans grown previously.
Quality protein feed
Once cut, the chopped wholecrop beans are added to the top of the silage clamp containing crimped wheat and barley, to utilise available space and help “seal in” the clamp, Mr Bean says. Maize silage is clamped separately.
A total mixed ration (TMR) is fed to the 200-head of beef cattle fattened every year, which includes 80 Limousin-cross suckler cows, plus other store cattle bought in from Hexham Market, aged 12-15 months. Cattle are typically taken to around 400 kg finishing carcass weight – usually reached by around 22-24 months old.
“Our aim is to finish everything as efficiently as possible, and the move to growing our own protein from winter beans has helped with that. The protein seems a lot more consistent, and has a higher digestibility, so cattle are able to utilise more of it.”
All new stock bought in for fattening can go straight onto the TMR from day one on the farm, rather than having to be eased onto the ration, as used to be done when feeding soya and dry rolled barley, he adds. That used to result in a temporary drop in performance and additional work.
Mr Bean estimates finishing time has been reduced by 3-4 months, and carcass grades are better and more consistent, with everything achieving U and U+ grades.
The move to feeding crimped grain, which began in 2007, also has benefits, he adds, as they have noticed less acid, which means no loose muck, bloated or lethargic animals, and no sign of acidosis.
Farm Facts: T.Bean & Sons
- Family business which includes; Geoff (Wayne’s Dad), Wayne’s brother Steven, Uncle Alan and his son Robert, along with Wayne’s Mum Lynne, and Alan’s wife Caroline
- 1,400 ha (3,500 acres) in Derwent Valley, Northumberland
- 400 ha owned, 120 ha rented & 810 ha common fell grazing
- 2,500 ewes
- More than 200-head of beef cattle fattened every year using their own high-quality concentrate and forage feeds, including wholecrop bean silage (as a high protein alternative to soya), crimped cereals (concentrated, rumen-friendly alternative to dry rolled grain), maize silage, and fodder beet
- No bought-in feed for cattle or sheep, other than minerals
- Cropping includes: Tundra winter beans, winter and spring barley (for crimping), winter wheat (crimping), forage maize, fodder beet, forage rape
- Variable soils
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