Seed vetch (Vicia sativa L.) grains for fattening pigs as an alternative high-protein feedstuff under changing climatic conditions

Common vetch (vicia sativa L.) is a highly robust legume with moderate site requirements. It has agronomic advantages regarding its value for the succeeding crop and adds to the diversification of the crop rotation. Due to its high crude protein and amino acid yields, it can contribute to the targeted regional 100 % organic feeding of pigs. In order to test the characteristics relevant for cultivation and feeding, different vetch varieties and accessions from the gene bank will be grown in the project. A variety trial will be conducted in Trenthorst, a drought stress trial in Gatersleben, and a comparative cultivation with 100 accessions from the genebank in Gatersleben (IPK) will be carried out at both locations. Following the crop trials, the nutrient contents as well as the contents of secondary plant metabolites with antinutritional effects (ANF) will be analyzed. Ensiling can partially degrade ANF. Therefore, the reduction of ANFs in the seeds of the vetch cultivars from the variety trial during ensiling will be investigated on a laboratory scale. Furthermore, the seeds of two vetch varieties will be used in proportions of 20% in diets of fattening pigs and their effects on acceptance and performance will be investigated. Both varieties will also be tested in raw and ensiled form for their nutrient digestibility. The results are intended to contribute to expanding knowledge about vetch as a grain legume for regional cultivation and on-farm utilization. They are also supposed to identify particularly suitable cultivars and accessions for feeding and thus secure the supply of organically produced protein feeds.