Peas are legumes, part of a family of plants that are able to make use of atmospheric nitrogen to enrich the protein content of both the plant and seed. Legumes do this by utilising bacteria that inhabit nodules in the roots that "fix" the nitrogen. When the roots decay, the nitrogen in the root becomes available to the following crop as a fertiliser - an important source in both conventional and organic systems. Legumes (typically peas and beans) which are grown for their seed are known as pulses.

In the UK peas are an important economic crop that have been grown for at least three thousand years. They are mainly grown for their seed which is rich in protein and are used for either human or animal consumption. Around 50,000 hectares are grown annually for human consumption and around 70,000 for animal feed.

In the arable rotation they provide an excellent break crop because of their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and they usually precede wheat which gains most from the enhanced soil fertility. However peas cannot be grown safely more often than one year in five on account of the increase in soil borne pests and diseases that would result.

Green or fresh peas are harvested from the vine by a specialist harvester that is able to remove the pea without damage. In farming circles these are known as vining peas and they are almost exclusively grown on contract to be frozen within a few hours of harvest. Most are grown in East Anglia and Lincolnshire.

The majority of the pea crop however is harvested with a conventional combine harvester, usually in August. These peas are cut when they are dry and are stored like any other cereal. The crop is sold and processed either for human consumption or for animal feed.

In the human consumption market recent changes in consumer preference have seen a switch in the varieties of peas grown. Those favoured for canning and for use as mushy peas have declined to be replaced by varieties more suitable for use in ready meals and breakfast cereals.

The biggest market for combine peas overall is for animal feed where they are useful because of their GM free status and favourable protein content. Peas provide a good alternative to imported protein crops like soya bean and are used in pet food as well as in commercial animal feeds.

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