PROTEIN FROM FRACTIONATED FORAGE LEGUMES AS FEED MONOGASTRIC ANIMALS (PROREFINE PROJECT)

Summary

Supply of feed protein is critical for animal production
The area of pulses has declined in Europe Forage legumes can have higher protein yields than pulses.
Fractionation into protein-rich feed for monogastric animals and fibre-rich feed for ruminants can be achieved
through e.g. harvesting with a leaf stripper, resulting in leaf and stem fractions (Julier & Huyghe, 1997) or juicing in a screw press, resulting in juice and pulp fractions (Houseman & Jones, 1978)Fractionation of forage legumes unlocks new opportunities, These new systems have potential to be more self-sufficient and sustainable in organic farming. The aim of the current study was to assess the
effect of fractionation method in lucerne (Medicago sativa) on protein yield in low-fibre fractions.