Why do livestock farms need large amounts of corn and soy for animal feed?

Livestock farms, particularly feedlots, rely on large amounts of corn and soy because these crops provide a high-energy, nutrient-dense diet that supports maximal growth and weight gain in animals.1

The primary reasons for using these specific feeds include:

• Efficiency and Growth: Feedlots utilize high-energy diets of grains like corn and legumes like soy to accelerate weight gain, which is essential for the economic efficiency of modern beef production.1
• Nutritional Supplementation: While roughages provide fiber, they are often low in protein and energy. High-protein meals derived from oilseeds like soybeans are used to supplement these feeds, providing the necessary amino acids required for muscle development and efficient production.23
• Cost Optimization: Producers use computer-based "least-cost formulation" to select competitively priced ingredients that satisfy the specific nutrient requirements of animals at different developmental stages.4
• Market Standards: The use of surplus grain to fatten cattle was historically found to produce heavily marbled beef, which commands higher market prices.1

While these feeds maximize production, they are not the natural diet for ruminants, which evolved to digest fibrous forage. Consequently, grain-based diets can lead to digestive health challenges that require careful management.1