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Why is corn useful in high-energy livestock feeds?
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Cereal processing
Common wheat (Triticum aestivum).
Corn is particularly useful in high-energy livestock feeds because it can be processed into a meal or a flaked, partially gelatinized product that provides a concentrated source of energy. As a cereal grain, corn is rich in starch, which serves as a primary carbohydrate reserve for energy.12
In the context of animal nutrition, compounded rations for livestock—such as milking cows, pigs, and poultry—require a careful balance between carbohydrates and proteinous foods. Because corn is highly effective at delivering these necessary carbohydrates, it is a staple component in these balanced rations, helping to meet the high-energy requirements of farm animals.1