crop identification, please

[Shirley]

I was walking along side a field in East Lothian and noticed a crop which I did not recognise.  Unfortunately did not have a camera with me.  The unripe crop looked like a small broad bean, with a couple of green beans inside.  The ripe crop (least I think that it was ripe) had a very black, crisp pod, with the bean inside a fawn colour.  The whole field look as if the crop had been singed.  The stalk on which these pods where growing where about a couple of feet tall.  I am just curious to know what it is and what it was used for.  Othere fields around the area were growing barley.

[Shirley]

[supersprout]

Would it be soybeans? ::)

[redimp]

Could be field bean grown as a fodder crop and/or green manure.  Closely related to Broadies.

Soy/Soya is not really viable as a crop in our climate.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Sounds like field bean.

[Merry Tiller]

Could be Field Beans 8)

[Shirley]

Yes, it seems it was field bean.  I searched on Google for "field bean" and was able to identify the crop.  Now next time I go walking with my friends I shall be "all knowledgeable".  Many thanks for your help.  Great this site, isn't it!