Making Better Use Of Home-Grown Cereals

Many livestock enterprises produce cereals as part of their farming operation, whether for direct feeding, forage production or sale. Where cereals are incorporated into livestock diets, they can provide a cost-effective source of energy and contribute significantly towards overall feed requirements.

With feed costs representing a substantial proportion of production costs, making effective use of home-grown cereals can help improve the efficiency and profitability of dairy, beef and sheep enterprises.

However, the value obtained from cereal crops depends not only on yield, but also on how effectively those crops are harvested, stored and utilised within the ration.

Cereals provide an important source of starch within ruminant diets. Whilst starch contributes valuable energy, it must be considered alongside other dietary components, including fibre, protein and forage.

The objective is not simply to increase cereal inclusion rates, but to ensure starch is incorporated within a balanced ration that supports efficient rumen function and nutrient utilisation.

Nutritionists will often consider factors such as forage quality, feeding rates and overall ration composition when determining the role cereals should play within the diet.

The way cereals are processed, stored and incorporated into the ration can have a significant influence on their feeding value. Nutrition strategies that support efficient nutrient utilisation can help livestock producers maximise the return obtained from home-grown crops.

Home n’ Dry Alkasystems technology has been developed to help producers maximise the feeding value of cereals through the production of alkaline feed materials. By supporting rumen function and nutrient utilisation, these feeding strategies can help livestock enterprises make better use of available crop resources whilst contributing to overall feed efficiency.