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Photo credit: Lance Cheung for USDA

In 2023, U.S. livestock, poultry and farmed aquaculture consumed nearly 284 million tons of feed. Beef cattle consumed the largest share; corn was the most widely used ingredient, and aquaculture led the way in reusing ingredients from other industries. These are among the findings of a new IFEEDER report, a collaboration with the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and the North American Renderers Association’s (NARA) research arm, the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF).

A key highlight of the report is the industry’s use of “circular” ingredients. In 2023, more than a third (37%) of total feed consumption (excluding harvested forages and roughages) came from “circular” ingredients. These are byproducts from the human food industry and other industrial processes that would otherwise end up in landfills. 

Although the overall use of circular ingredients in 2023 decreased by 3.7% from 2019, it increased for ruminant animal diets (dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep and goats), reflecting the animal feed industry’s contribution to a more circular food supply.

“Circular ingredients, like rendered products, play a crucial role in reducing waste, lowering carbon footprints and supporting a more sustainable food chain,” said Kent Swisher, President and CEO of NARA and FPRF.

Report Highlights:

The top five consumers of feed in 2023, excluding harvested forages and roughages, were:Beef cattle: 76.7 million tons

  • Broilers: 61.5 million tons
  • Hogs: 60.9 million tons
  • Dairy cattle: 48.7 million tons
  • Egg-laying hens: 17.7 million tons

The top three most used feed ingredients by weight out of the more than 70 analyzed were:

  • Corn: 159.4 million tons
  • Soybean meal: 35.4 million tons
  • Corn distillers’ dried grains: 32.6 million tons

The top five consumers of circular ingredients by species were:

  • Aquaculture: 82% of feed
  • Horses: 72%
  • Sheep and goats: 52%
  • Dairy cattle: 50%
  • Broilers: 36%

More about the Report Methodology:

The report is based on research by Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS), an economic research and analysis firm, using a ration cost optimization model.