Yorkshire farmer Richard Barker is inviting visitors to his farm near Richmond on Tuesday 2nd December to see how home-grown beans can cut feed costs, boost sustainability and reduce reliance on imported soya.
The From Field to Feed open day is organised by the NCS Project, in which Richard is a ‘Pulse Pioneer’ trialling wholecrop beans in his beef herd’s diet.
Visitors will discover how beans are grown, harvested, stored and fed on farm – and how they can provide a high-protein, home-grown alternative to bought-in feeds.
Richard said: “As livestock farmers we need to balance cost, sustainability and performance. Wholecrop beans have proved a valuable option for my business – they fit well in my rotation, yield well and provide a reliable protein source for my cattle. I’m looking forward to sharing my experience and hearing from others.”
The open day will start at 10am at the Black Bull Inn, Moulton (DL10 6QJ) with presentations from leading experts including PGRO’s Erin Matlock on the agronomy of successful bean production, and an update on varieties from Limagrain. Michael Carpenter from Kelvin Cave Ltd will share insights into harvesting, processing, preservation and storage, and livestock nutritionist Lizz Clarke will tackle bean nutrition and ration formulation.
After lunch, a tour of Richard’s farm will include a look at the wholecrop bean storage, along with an opportunity to discuss feeding results and practical adoption with specialists.
The event is free to attend, but please register at www.tinyurl.com/NCSOpenDay.
From Field to Seed Open Day 2025
