In 2017, South Dakota farmers grew 736.6 million bushels of corn.

Each year in South Dakota:

• Beef cattle consume 25 million bushels of corn
• Dairy cattle consume 6 million bushels of corn
• Hogs consume 23 million bushels of corn
• Poultry consume 3 million bushels of corn

Corn-fed animals gain weight quickly. Many livestock producers prefer corn feed and economical dried distillers grain for accelerated growth and easy, year-round production.

And many consumers prefer the tasty, marbled beef from corn-fed cattle. Corn also improves yield from dairy cows and reduces the land needed to support feed requirements.