permaculture

[Ute Bohnsack <sustag@eircom.net>]

Dear all,
Sorry this is a very specialised question but I have been unsuccessful
in finding anything on the web.
I would be most grateful for any info on the lysine, methionine, and
cystine contents of (fresh or dried)
- Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
- Comfrey (Symphytum officinalis, S. peregrinum)

(Background to question: I am trying to devise a complete layers' ration
without imported corn/maize, soya, potatoe protein etc. but including
high-protein resources of which I have plenty such as duckweed,
earthworms from the wormery, nettles, comfrey. It's damn hard to get to
any reasonable methionine level. Sunflower seeds and sesame seeds would
help but push the crude fat levels too high, and they too are imported.
I could of course use a low(er) input / low(er) output system but I also
regard the exercise as an 'academic' challenge given the pending
tightening of regulations here in the EU for ration formulation in
commercial organic poultry production in terms of non-organic and bought
in components. See
http://www.organic.aber.ac.uk/library/organic%20livestock%20feeds%20%2D%20preparing%20for%202005.htm
for details. )
In this context the research on duckweed is fascinating - apparently up
to 25% of DM can be included for high protein incl. lots of lysine,
methionine, and cystine. If only I could dry the stuff in this sodden
climate... :)

Many thanks,
Ute (in Ireland)