Winter faba bean

A protein crop and source of vegetable protein, faba beans are used mainly for animal feed, but also for human consumption. Sown in November-December and harvested in July, winter faba bean is a key crop in crop rotation, providing yield gains, nitrogen savings for the following wheat crop and improved protein content. It reduces disease and weed pressure in the rotation, and saves water and inputs. While resistant to aphanomyces, faba bean is susceptible to bruchid. It can be grown on clay and stony soils. Able to smother weeds, winter bean lends itself well to organic farming.