The wheat market has strengthened considerably over recent weeks, with London Feed Wheat futures trading over £200/t several times (as of 4th August 2026). While global supply concerns, weather conditions and geopolitical uncertainty continue to influence grain markets, one thing is clear: every tonne of home-grown grain is worth more than it was earlier in the season.
For livestock producers, stronger grain prices create both opportunities and challenges. Whilst improved crop values are welcome, replacing home-grown energy with purchased feed ingredients becomes increasingly expensive.
With cereal values remaining firm, now is the ideal time to maximise the value of grain harvested on your own farm rather than allowing its full potential to be lost through storage or sale.
Making the Most of Every Tonne
Home-grown cereals are often one of the most cost-effective feed ingredients available, but, traditionally, grain feeding can limit inclusion rates due to concerns around rumen health and starch fermentation.
By treating cereals with Home n’ Dry to produce Alkagrain, farmers can create a stable, alkaline feed that helps improve cereal utilisation while supporting a healthier rumen environment.
The process allows producers to extract more value from grain already grown on farm, helping to improve feed efficiency and reduce dependence on expensive purchased feeds.
At a time when input costs remain under pressure, making better use of existing resources can deliver significant financial benefits.
Reducing the Need for Bought-In Feed
Many livestock businesses have become increasingly reliant on bought-in starch and protein sources over the years. When grain prices rise, those purchased ingredients often follow.
Producing Alkagrain from your own cereals can help make better use of home-grown feed and reduce the amount of purchased ingredients needed in the diet.
Rather than selling grain off farm and buying feed back in, more producers are looking at how they can keep that value within the business.
Supporting Rumen Health
One of the challenges with feeding higher levels of cereals is maintaining a stable rumen environment.
The alkaline nature of Alkagrain helps buffer rumen conditions, allowing cereals to be fed more effectively while helping to reduce the risk of digestive upsets associated with high-starch diets.
This can provide greater flexibility when formulating diets, particularly when good quality home-grown grain is available.
A Timely Opportunity This Harvest
With wheat back above £200/t for November 2026 (as of 4th August 2026), and markets continuing to react to global supply concerns, every tonne of grain has become more valuable.
Whether you’re harvesting wheat, barley or other cereals this summer, it’s worth considering how much additional value can be captured by feeding more of that crop through livestock rather than replacing it with purchased alternatives.
For many livestock producers, the answer may not be growing more grain, but simply getting more from the grain they’re already producing.
This harvest, home-grown cereals could play an even bigger role in helping control feed costs, improve ration efficiency and make the most of every acre.
This harvest, don’t just store your grain — unlock its full potential with Alkagrain.
Find out more about Alkagrain and Home n’ Dry by:
Calling the Alka-line: +44(0)1200 613118
or email info@homendry.com
Learn more: www.homendry.com