Soybean hay issues?

[southernultrablack]

So I'm thinking of adding soybeans to my summer mix that I plant for baleage. I've been told not to plant the soybeans as they can cause issues with the cattle, something about messing with the bugs in the rumen. Anyone have any more info on this?

 

[Silver]

Are they talking about tannins?

 

[Buck Randall]

Overfeeding raw soybeans can cause problems, but that shouldn't be a problem in a baleage mix.

 

[southernultrablack]

Silver, they didn't narrow it down to what would affect the rumen bugs. I suspect they may have been talking about the issues with feeding the whole beans like Buck was saying, but I'm not sure.

 

[Silver]

I was pretty excited about planting fava beans to put in my baleage mix at one time, but the price scared me off.

 

[southernultrablack]

I was pretty excited about planting fava beans to put in my baleage mix at one time, but the price scared me off.

Have you ever looked at Sunn Hemp? I think I'm gonna try a bit this year with my Sorghum Sudan.

 

[Silver]

Have you ever looked at Sunn Hemp? I think I'm gonna try a bit this year with my Sorghum Sudan.

I haven't. I assumed my climate would make it a non starter. I'll do some googling.

 

[sim.-ang.king]

So I'm thinking of adding soybeans to my summer mix that I plant for baleage. I've been told not to plant the soybeans as they can cause issues with the cattle, something about messing with the bugs in the rumen. Anyone have any more info on this?

No effect, only effect you would see is in ph if there was seed in the pods, which would be mitigated by the fiber content. Cows can eat raw soybeans without Ill effect, as long as you keep the protein in balance. I believe soy hay is safer to feed than most clovers, bloat wise.

 

[Nick Wagner]

I've made soybean hay three times. Never caused me any issues.