Replacing corn is not as difficult as replacing soy, but it’s not exactly straightforward. Corn provides a combination of digestible energy, starch, and low fiber. Replacing corn in diets requires a strategic understanding of available ingredients and nutrient requirements.
First, it’s important to understand why corn is added to a diet. Corn is:
- High in digestible energy:Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) for ruminants
Metabolizable Energy (ME) for monogastric - Very low fiber
- High starch:Easily fermented or digested
Any alternative to corn needs to match some of these functions depending on animal, production goals, and cost. Corn is the most digestible, highest in energy, and most affordable option. Table 1 shows the different energy values and price per unit of energy for corn and corn alternatives. The energy prices listed below are FOB Resaca, GA prices.
| Ingredients | ME Poultry (kcal/lb) |
ME Swine (kcal/lb) |
TDN* | $/Unit Energy (Poultry) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corn | 1,540 | 1,520 | 88% | $0.000066 |
| Milo | 1,505 | 1,470 | 82% | $0.000074 |
| Wheat (Soft) | 1,460 | 1,550 | 88% | $0.000075 |
| Barley | 1,250 | 1,300 | 84% | $0.000097 |
| Oats | 1,160 | 1,215 | 76% | $0.000112 |
| Oil | 4,000 | 3,955 | 223% | $0.000150 |
| *Source: NRC 2027 | ||||
Replacing corn in livestock diets is doable and, in some regions, like the Pacific Northwest, economically beneficial. The key is understanding the nutritional role corn plays and matching those contributions. Wheat, barley, milo, oats, and fats play valuable roles when incorporated correctly. Cattle, poultry, swine, and small ruminants have different nutrient requirements, so different corn alternatives work better for some animals compared to others. Table 2 lists the different corn alternatives and explains how they fit into a diet.
| Ingredient | Poultry | Swine | Dairy Cattle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milo* | Best alternative to corn Low fiber, similar ME |
Best alternative to corn Low fiber, similar ME |
Best alternative to corn |
| Wheat* |
Good energy source. Contains pentosans, which can cause sticky droppings if fed too high. Can lead to poor performance if fed over 20–30%. |
Good energy source. Often benefits from added xylanase enzyme if fed over 20% of the diet. |
Good |
| Barley |
Ok energy source. Contains pentosans, which can cause sticky droppings at high levels. Can reduce performance if fed over 20–30%. |
Ok energy source. Max inclusion ~40% due to lower energy values. |
Good replacement when combined with milo |
| Oats |
Poor replacement. High fiber, low energy. High pentosans may cause digestive issues at high levels. |
Poor replacement. High fiber, low energy. High pentosans may cause digestive issues at high levels. |
OK. Lower starch than corn, resulting in lower energy. |
| Fats & Oils |
Not a complete replacement, but increases energy levels. Most alternatives are lower in energy than corn. |
Not a complete replacement, but increases energy levels. Most alternatives are lower in energy than corn. |
Not a complete replacement, but increases energy levels. |
Corn may remain a cornerstone of livestock nutrition, but there are alternatives for producers who want corn-free diets. By understanding the specific functions corn provides, we can combine grains and supplemental fats to meet species-specific requirements. Ingredients like milo, wheat, barley, and oats each contribute unique strengths, and when used thoughtfully, can fully support performance in poultry, swine, beef, dairy, and small ruminants.
At Resaca Sun Feeds, leveraging regionally grown grains allows us to maintain nutritional integrity while reducing dependency on corn. Milo is grown on our farm and we can purchase additional milo locally. Milo is used in all of our corn and soy free feeds because it is the best alternative to corn in terms of energy and digestibility. With the right ingredient knowledge and formulation approach, replacing corn is not only feasible, but we at Resaca Sun Feeds are able create flexible, efficient, and locally supported feed for you.
NRC. 2007. Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.