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How are cereal grains used as livestock feed?

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A large red and yellow combine harvester cuts through a golden wheat field, leaving neat rows of harvested grain behind. — Cereal farming Combine harvesting wheat.

Cereal grains are essential components of livestock feeds, serving primarily as a source of carbohydrates. Commonly used grains include wheat, corn, barley, sorghum, rye, and oats, alongside wheat by-products like bran and middlings.12

Utilization and Preparation

These grains are fed to livestock either whole or ground. To ensure a balanced diet, they are often mixed with protein-rich foods, minerals, and vitamins. For instance, a typical ration for a milking cow may consist of 50–80 percent cereals. Specific grains are chosen for their unique nutritional contributions:21
* Corn: Highly valued in high-energy feeds, often provided as meal or in flaked, gelatinized form.1
* Barley: Particularly effective for fattening livestock.1
* Oats: Used to help balance the overall cereal profile.1

Storage and Importance

Because grain production is seasonal, crops are dried to 14 percent moisture or less to prevent spoilage and are stored in secure facilities. This storage is critical, as cereals are vital for maintaining the supply of animal protein in the human diet.21