InFaba Project

The project is led by McArthur BDC in partnership with PGRO, SRUC, Muller UK & Ireland and Farm Carbon Toolkit, funded through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme. PGRO provides varietal screening and crop science expertise. SRUC is leading laboratory and in vivo trials to measure methane output, feed intake and milk performance. Muller supports commercial on-farm trials and supply chain integration. Farm Carbon Toolkit delivers life cycle assessment and carbon accounting. Together, the consortium combines crop development, animal science, commercial testing and carbon measurement to evaluate both biological effectiveness and practical scalability.

Life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis sit at the centre of the InFaba Project. Reductions in methane or feed-related emissions must be quantified credibly and linked to economic value. By integrating carbon accounting with commercial modelling, the project will assess whether biological improvements translate into measurable carbon savings and practical returns. Importantly, value generated through methane reduction or reduced soya use must be recognised within supply chains. If environmental performance is reflected in procurement and pricing frameworks, it creates the conditions for adoption, investment and expanded pulse production at scale.

The project focuses on two homegrown faba bean based feed ingredients.

The tannin-rich co-product, derived from faba bean hulls during processing, contains naturally occurring plant compounds that can influence rumen fermentation. The project is testing its potential to reduce methane formation without compromising feed intake, milk yield or animal health, while assessing inclusion levels and consistency of response in commercial dairy systems.

Heat-treated faba beans are processed to improve protein availability and overall nutritive value. While not a direct like-for-like replacement for soya, enhanced formulation can increase inclusion of this lower-emission, homegrown protein source in dairy rations, supporting reduced feed carbon intensity while maintaining milk yield, quality and feed efficiency.

Homegrown pulses offer more than protein. They reduce reliance on imported feed, support nitrogen fixation in rotations, improve soil structure and enhance cropping resilience. By aligning feed reformulation with domestic production, pulses can strengthen environmental performance in both dairy and arable systems, contributing to a more resilient UK food system.