How Is Corn Steam-Flaked for Animal Feed?

Processing raw grains for addition to animal feeds is a common practice. According to a study by Owens and Gardner in 2000, cattle fed steam-flaked grains gained more weight in a more efficient manner than those fed dry-rolled, high-moisture or whole-grain diets.

  1. Purpose

    • The steam-flake process helps to make the nutrients in the corn more available for the animal to digest, particularly the starches. This allows the animal to grow faster and more efficiently.

    Process

    • The corn is first pressure-cooked with steam for about 30 minutes to absorb moisture. It is then is pushed between large rollers, which flattens the kernels, creating the "flakes."

    Uses

    • Steam-flaked corn is used in cattle nutrition.

      Steam-flaked corn is commonly used in cattle diets, both for dairy cows and feedlot cattle for meat production. However, it can also be used to feed many other farm animals, such as goats, pigs and sheep.