Which Animals Are Corn Fed?

Cattle are fed grains like corn because they are nutritious, energy-rich, and can be stored for use throughout the year. Because grass does not grow year-round in most of the United States, feeding grains like corn to cattle helps farmers and ranchers raise a consistent, year-round supply of great tasting beef.

What farm animals are fed corn?

Stocker cattle, beef heifers, and cows have excellent weight gains grazing corn. Dairy farmers have utilized corn, through grazing, to feed dairy cows and dairy heifers for breeding. Sheep, goats,and swine have all been used to graze corn successfully.

What percentage of cows are corn-fed?

Only 7 percent of beef cattle's lifetime feed intake is corn grain. Improvements in corn production efficiency (minimizing environmental impacts relative to corn yield) will help improve sustainability regardless if corn is used for human consumption, beef cattle consumption, or fuel use.