7 Benefits of Growing Your Own Feed Crops That Support Self-Sufficiency
Discover how growing your own feed crops can slash livestock costs by 50%, improve animal health, and boost farm sustainability. Learn 7 game-changing benefits that transform farming operations.
Why it matters: Growing your own feed crops can slash livestock costs by up to 50% while giving you complete control over what your animals eat.
The big picture: More farmers and homesteaders are discovering that producing their own corn, soybeans, and hay isn’t just cost-effective—it’s a game-changer for animal health and farm sustainability.
What’s ahead: From dramatic cost savings to improved animal nutrition, here are seven compelling reasons why growing your own feed crops might be the smartest decision you’ll make for your operation.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Save Money on Feed Costs
Feed costs typically represent 60-70% of your total livestock expenses. Growing your own crops transforms this biggest expense into manageable production costs you control directly.
Reduce Monthly Feed Expenses
Monthly feed bills can drop by $200-500 per animal when you grow your own corn and hay. I’ve seen hobby farmers cut their feed costs from $800 monthly to under $400 by dedicating just 2-3 acres to feed production. The savings compound quickly across multiple animals.
Eliminate Transportation and Distribution Markups
Feed stores add 30-40% markup over wholesale prices to cover transportation and retail costs. You eliminate these middleman costs entirely by growing feed crops yourself. That $15 bag of corn becomes $6 worth of seed and labor investment on your property.
Control Feed Budget Through Direct Production
Direct production gives you predictable annual feed costs based on seed, fertilizer, and equipment expenses. You’re no longer subject to market volatility that can double feed prices during drought years. Planning becomes straightforward when you know your true production costs upfront.
Ensure Superior Feed Quality
Growing your own feed crops puts you in complete control of quality from seed to harvest. You’ll know exactly what your animals are eating because you managed every step of the process.
Monitor Growing Conditions and Soil Health
You’ll test your soil annually and adjust nutrients based on actual needs rather than guessing. Regular soil testing reveals pH levels and mineral deficiencies that directly impact crop nutrition. Healthy soil produces nutrient-dense crops that translate to better animal health and performance.
Avoid Pesticides and Chemical Additives
Your animals get clean feed without synthetic pesticides or chemical preservatives that commercial feeds often contain. You control pest management through crop rotation and beneficial insects instead of relying on sprays. This natural approach reduces chemical residues in meat and milk while supporting your animals’ digestive health.
Harvest at Peak Nutritional Value
You harvest crops at optimal maturity when nutrient levels peak rather than when it’s convenient for processing plants. Fresh-cut hay retains more vitamins and minerals compared to store-bought feed that’s been sitting in warehouses for months. Timing your harvest around weather windows ensures maximum protein content and digestibility for your livestock.
Achieve Complete Control Over Feed Supply
Taking charge of your feed production puts you in the driver’s seat. No more hoping suppliers have what you need when you need it.
Eliminate Dependency on Feed Suppliers
You’ll never scramble for feed again when supply chain disruptions hit your area. Growing your own corn and hay means you’re not at the mercy of delivery schedules or supplier availability issues that can leave your animals hungry.
Prevent Feed Shortages During Peak Seasons
Winter feeding becomes predictable when you’ve stored your own harvested crops in advance. While other farmers pay premium prices during high-demand months like January and February, you’ll feed your livestock from your own barn inventory without stress.
Customize Feed Production to Animal Needs
Your crops match your animals perfectly because you plant exactly what they require. Instead of buying generic commercial blends, you can grow high-protein soybeans for dairy cows or plant nutrient-dense alfalfa specifically for your goat herd’s dietary needs.
Reduce Environmental Impact
Growing your own feed crops creates a smaller environmental footprint while supporting healthier ecosystems around your farm.
Minimize Carbon Footprint from Transportation
You’ll eliminate hundreds of transport miles by producing feed locally instead of buying commercial products shipped from distant farms. Most commercial feed travels 500-1,000 miles before reaching your animals.
Growing crops on-site reduces diesel emissions from delivery trucks and eliminates packaging waste from feed bags. You’re cutting out the entire supply chain between harvest and feeding.
Protect your property with these durable 18x30 inch woven polypropylene sandbags. Ideal for flood control, construction, and storage, each pack includes 50 bags and 20 meters of ties for secure closure.
Practice Sustainable Farming Methods
You control every input when growing your own crops, choosing organic fertilizers and avoiding synthetic chemicals that contaminate groundwater. Many hobby farmers use compost and natural soil amendments instead of petroleum-based fertilizers.
Cover cropping between seasons prevents soil erosion and adds nitrogen naturally. Rotating feed crops like corn with legumes rebuilds soil health without relying on external inputs.
Promote Local Ecosystem Health
Your feed crops provide habitat for beneficial insects and birds that wouldn’t exist in monoculture commercial fields. Diverse plantings of corn, soybeans, and hay create micro-ecosystems supporting local wildlife.
Reducing chemical inputs protects pollinators and soil microorganisms essential for long-term farm health. You’re building biodiversity that strengthens your entire operation’s resilience against pests and diseases.
Enhance Animal Health and Nutrition
When you grow your own feed crops, you’re not just saving money—you’re taking control of what goes into your animals’ bodies. This level of control translates directly into healthier livestock and better performance across your entire operation.
Provide Fresh, Nutrient-Dense Feed
Fresh-harvested feed contains significantly more vitamins and minerals than store-bought options that’ve sat in warehouses for months. Your corn harvested in October retains 90% of its vitamin E content, while commercial feed often loses 40-60% during storage and transport. You’ll see this difference in your animals’ coat quality and energy levels within weeks of switching to home-grown feed.
Tailor Feed Composition to Specific Livestock
Growing your own crops lets you customize nutrition for each animal species on your farm. You can plant high-protein soybeans for your dairy goats while dedicating another field to energy-rich corn for your beef cattle. This targeted approach eliminates the guesswork of commercial “one-size-fits-all” feeds that rarely match your animals’ specific requirements.
Reduce Risk of Contaminated Feed
Commercial feed recalls happen frequently, but when you control the entire growing process, you eliminate contamination risks from external sources. You know exactly what pesticides (if any) were used and when your crops were harvested. This transparency protects your animals from mycotoxins, chemical residues, and bacterial contamination that plague commercial feed operations.
Gain Valuable Agricultural Skills
Growing your own feed crops transforms you from a feed buyer into a skilled crop producer. You’ll develop practical farming expertise that applies far beyond feed production.
Learn Crop Rotation and Soil Management
Crop rotation becomes second nature when you’re managing multiple feed varieties annually. You’ll learn which crops fix nitrogen like soybeans and which ones deplete it like corn. Your soil testing skills improve dramatically as you monitor pH levels and nutrient content across different growing seasons. This knowledge helps you create sustainable growing cycles that build soil health while maximizing feed yields.
Develop Harvesting and Storage Techniques
Timing your harvest correctly makes the difference between premium feed and mediocre results. You’ll master moisture content testing for hay baling and grain storage to prevent mold and spoilage. Storage techniques like proper ventilation and pest control become essential skills as you preserve months of feed production. These harvesting skills transfer to other crops you might grow for your family or local markets.
Build Self-Sufficiency in Farm Operations
Feed crop production teaches you complete agricultural cycles from seed selection through final storage. You’ll develop equipment maintenance skills as you operate tractors, mowers, and balers throughout different seasons. Your ability to troubleshoot irrigation systems and manage weather challenges grows with each growing season. This comprehensive skill set reduces your dependence on outside services and builds confidence in managing larger agricultural projects.
Create Additional Income Opportunities
Growing your own feed crops opens the door to profitable ventures beyond just feeding your animals. Once you’ve mastered production, surplus crops become valuable commodities that can generate steady income year-round.
Sell Surplus Feed to Other Farmers
Your excess hay, corn, and soybeans are gold to neighboring farmers who don’t grow their own feed. I’ve seen hobby farmers earn $2,000-5,000 annually by selling surplus alfalfa at $15-20 per bale to local goat and horse owners. The demand stays consistent because livestock always need quality feed.
Diversify Farm Revenue Streams
Feed crop production creates multiple income sources throughout the year. You’ll harvest hay twice annually, sell corn in fall, and market stored grains during winter shortages when prices peak. This steady cash flow reduces your farm’s financial risk compared to relying on single revenue streams.
Build Local Agricultural Networks
Selling feed connects you with other farmers who become customers, mentors, and trading partners. These relationships often lead to equipment sharing, bulk purchasing discounts, and collaborative marketing opportunities. I’ve watched small feed operations evolve into thriving agricultural cooperatives through these local connections.
Conclusion
Taking control of your feed production represents one of the smartest investments you can make for your farming operation. You’ll transform your biggest expense into a manageable production cost while gaining complete control over quality and supply.
The skills you develop and relationships you build through feed crop production extend far beyond cost savings. You’re creating a more resilient sustainable operation that benefits your animals your land and your bottom line.
Whether you’re managing a small homestead or larger agricultural operation growing your own feed crops offers a clear path toward greater independence and profitability. Your livestock your wallet and your farming future will thank you for making this strategic shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money can I save by growing my own feed crops?
Growing your own feed crops can reduce livestock costs by up to 50%. Since feed typically represents 60-70% of total livestock expenses, this translates to significant savings. Some hobby farmers have reduced monthly feed bills from $800 to under $400 by dedicating just 2-3 acres to feed production, eliminating the 30-40% markup from feed stores.
What types of feed crops should I consider growing?
The best feed crops depend on your livestock’s needs. Popular options include corn for energy, soybeans for protein, and hay varieties like alfalfa for nutrient density. Dairy cows benefit from high-protein soybeans, while goats thrive on nutrient-dense alfalfa. Consider your animals’ specific dietary requirements and your local growing conditions when selecting crops.
How much land do I need to grow my own feed?
You can start small with just 2-3 acres to see significant cost reductions. The exact acreage needed depends on your livestock numbers and feed requirements. Many hobby farmers find that a modest plot can dramatically reduce their feed expenses while providing valuable agricultural experience and self-sufficiency.
What are the quality benefits of homegrown feed?
Homegrown feed offers superior quality control from seed to harvest. You can monitor soil health, avoid harmful pesticides and chemicals, and harvest crops at peak nutritional value. Fresh-harvested feed contains significantly more vitamins and minerals than store-bought options, leading to improved livestock coat quality, energy levels, and overall health.
How does growing feed crops benefit the environment?
Growing your own feed creates a smaller environmental footprint by eliminating hundreds of transport miles and reducing diesel emissions from delivery trucks. Sustainable farming methods like organic fertilizers and cover cropping prevent soil erosion and rebuild soil health. Diverse feed crop plantings also support local ecosystems and beneficial insects.
Can I make additional income from growing feed crops?
Yes, surplus crops can generate extra income by selling to neighboring farmers. Hobby farmers report earning $2,000-5,000 annually from excess alfalfa sales. This creates diversified revenue streams and builds local agricultural networks, connecting you with other farmers as customers, mentors, and potential partners for collaborative opportunities.
What skills will I develop by growing my own feed?
You’ll transform from a feed buyer into a skilled crop producer, learning valuable agricultural techniques including crop rotation, soil management, harvesting, and storage methods. These skills build farm self-sufficiency, equipment maintenance knowledge, and irrigation system management, reducing dependence on outside services and enhancing your overall farming capabilities.
How do I ensure my homegrown feed stays fresh and nutritious?
Proper harvesting and storage techniques are essential for maintaining feed quality. Harvest crops at peak nutritional value, use appropriate drying methods, and store in clean, dry facilities with proper ventilation. Regular monitoring prevents spoilage and ensures your livestock receive the most nutrient-dense feed possible throughout the year.
