ABSTRACT
Cereal grains are by far the most important feed for domestic animals. Approximately 660 million metric tons of cereals were converted in a recent year-end estimation by 17,250, 1,389, 989, and 58 million head of chickens, bovines, swine, and horses, respectively, into eggs, milk, and various types of meat products (FAO 2009, Table 18.1). Significant amounts of cereals are also channeled to feed fish, crustaceans, and pet animals. Among cereals, maize is the most important feed grain, followed by barley, wheat, sorghum, and oats. More than 400 million tons of maize moved into the feed industry. Maize is the preferred feedstock because it is relatively cheap, palatable, readily digested by both monogastrics and ruminants, and widely available around the globe. Cereals are biotransformed into animal products that possess excellent protein quality and digestibility, and provide some essential nutrients that are scarce in cereal-based foods (i.e., calcium, iron, vitamin B12) (Chapter 17). Additionally, the minerals and vitamins associated with animal products are more bioavailable to the human system.
