FABA beans may have earned the nickname 'failure bean' in previous years but in the International Year of the Pulse, this year the beans could redeem itself.
A shortage in seed availability seems to be the only things currently holding this crop back as the early start, strong prices and low disease pressure means average yields could be close to two tonnes a hectare.
Pulse Australia has reported 4700 hectares of faba beans have been planted this season in WA, up from 3000ha in 2015.
National Australia Bank (NAB) Agribusiness July's In focus pulse report has predicted pulse prices to remain stable as demand from India softens as the country's seasonal conditions improve.
"Prices for chickpeas and lentils exceeded $1200 a tonne this year following two poor Indian monsoon seasons," the report said.
"However, we are already seeing the return of more favourable conditions to India this season, and should the monsoon continue to perform, it is likely that Indian pulse production will be well up on last season.
"This will likely diminish demand for Australian chickpeas, lentils and field peas and prices will respond accordingly.
"For pulses less dependent on the Indian market, such as faba beans and lupins, the price gains have been smaller. However, we expect prices for these to remain reasonably stable over the coming year."
Seednet WA territory manager David Clegg said there had been an increase in people revisiting pulses in the crop rotation and faba beans were a favourable choice for those in medium to high rainfall zones.
He said while Fiesta was still the mainstay variety planted this year, Samira would become the benchmark due to its higher yields and better disease ratings.
"The high prices for faba beans is definitely making them more attractive," Mr Clegg said.
"We ran short on seed this season as I don't think anyone in 2015 expected the crop to be in such demand this season."
This year, the Gnowangerup Community Crop Committee is giving faba beans a go for the first time.
The community group grows crops each year to raise money to add or improve amenities at the Gnowangerup sporting complex.
In the past the committee has helped fund the indoor netball courts, artificial hockey and tennis turf and upgrades to the complex's bar and function room.
This year's 360ha crop included 150ha of Fiesta faba beans, along with lupins and oats.
Community crop committee member Wayne Pech said there was a 2t/ha yield potential for the crop, which was planted on April 10 with 70kg/ha of Agstar blend donated by CRT Farmworks Gnowangerup, which provides all chemical and fertiliser for the community crops.
"They like a longer wetter season and we got them in quite early," he said.
"We needed to add something new to the rotation due to ryegrass issues in oats and thought we would try them on the good red soils."
He said there had been no problems with pests or disease and the crop was "looking fantastic".
CRT Farmworks agronomist Tom McInerney said there had been a "slight increase" in plantings in the district due to the early break in the season.
Mr McInerney said while faba beans had earned their reputation as "failure beans" due to their sensitivity to dry finishes, this could be the year to change people's minds.
"They have also had a reputation for disease problems, but I think growers have gotten a lot better in managing disease by using treatments at seeding and keeping on top of it before it becomes an issue," he said.
"Fiesta has been the main variety grown but I think we will see a large swing towards Samira next season due to its improved chocolate spot and rust resistance compared to Fiesta."
