Spring Beans

Beans are an indigenous source of protein for animal feed and the area grown has increased since the introduction of coupled support in 2015. Protein aid which is a coupled payment for eligible nitrogen fixing crops (beans, peas, soya & lupins) has a total fund of €10 million in 2025 which is divided by the eligible area to give a payment per hectare.  

The 10 year average area of spring beans is 11,000 hectares, ranging from 6,600 ha in 2019 to 17,400 ha in 2024. This variation is influenced by the protein payment available and other spring crop options. 

Yields depend on the growing season, with a target yield of 6.7t/ha (2015 & 2017) being achievable. The 10-year average yield is 5.4 t/ha. In years with lower yields, drought (2018) and late planting (2024) are the primary contributing factors. 

Table 1: Area,Yield and Protein payment for beans 2016-2024

The ability of beans to fix their own nitrogen and subsequent reduction in nitrogen demand for the succeeding cereal crop has financial benefits for the farmer and in addition benefits the environment. As a completely different crop type to cereals, beans act as a useful break in many disease and pest cycles, benefiting yield and cost reduction in the following crop.

Growing a non-cereal like beans offers opportunities for alternative weed control strategies. This is especially relevant where grass weeds are becoming an increasing problem and resistance to commonly used cereal herbicides is developing.

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