Forage Feed Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The forage feed market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.29% to reach US$40.723 billion in 2029 from US$34.757 billion in 2022.

Forages are edible plant portions other than separated grain that serve as feed for grazing animals or can be harvested for feeding livestock. They play a significant role in the beef cattle sector while improving crop diversity, wildlife habitat, and soil ecosystem services. If the proper crop is chosen and carefully managed, forage feed can be a valuable tool for farmers as they are highly productive and nutritious at their most formative stages of growth. To reduce their negative effects on productivity, pests must also be handled. Maximizing the productive potential of fodder feed requires a carefully thought-out grazing strategy. For instance, to produce hay or silage, forage feed can be made solely for that purpose or grazed first before being set aside for fodder conservation. They have grassroots that can increase the soil's organic matter content, and they are also a good source of vitamins, fiber, and proteins that help animals' metabolisms.

Market Drivers

The increasing livestock population is boosting the forage feed demand over the forecast period.

Worldwide milk consumption has been increasing, which has led to an increase in cattle population. This is supporting the growth of the forage feed industry as forage serves as the fundamental component for cattle roughage and fiber in dairy cattle. Cattle are given feed that is nutrient-rich to increase the production of milk. The health and enhanced output of the animals depend on the forage's quality. Hay, silages, and forages with a high feed value are fed to various ruminant animals, including cows and buffaloes. The livestock animals receive calories, fiber, and necessary protein from forage seeds and adding supplement ingredients further increases the output. According to the USDA’s “Livestock and Poultry: World Market and Trade”, in 2023, the number of cattle in stock globally stood at 9,42,630 which represented an increase of 2,260 in strength in comparison to 2022.

Increasing R&D investments by government and private bodies is augmenting the market growth.

To improve the overall efficiency and intake of forage feed, various R&D activities and experiments are being undertaken. For instance, to assess the effects of sulfur on forage feed, ICL conducted a series of product experiments in December 2022 comparing mineral fertilizer Polysulphate to standard farm practice nitrogen/sulfur products. At 28 locations throughout the UK, ICL conducted trials, some of which were on organic soils. Sites were divided, with one side receiving a treatment of 100 kg per hectare of Polysulphate with nitrogen and the other receiving an application of ammonium sulfate (AS) per conventional farm practice.

Technological innovations in forage feed have propelled the market growth.

The growing emphasis to increase the forage feed supplies to farms animals, various technological innovations are being implemented, which has paved the way for the future market growth. For instance, DeLaval launched the second edition of their OptiDuo feed-pushing robot in December 2022. This version can boost daily cow milk output by up to 3 liters. The robot can make rounds through the barn up to ten times daily, replenishing feed supplies and rearranging forage to entice the cattle kept there to consume more food. Due to its twin rotating augers, which can combine different feed types, the new model now offers the option of a concentrate dispenser.

Ruminants is anticipated to hold a sizable share of the forage feed market over the forecast period.

Cattle, such as oxen and bullocks, are grown for their ability to pull plows, carts, and other devices. They are also raised as livestock for meat production and as dairy animals for producing milk, butter, and other dairy products. Cow feces are utilized as fuel or manure. They are reared mostly on a forage-feed diet to boost the diet's energy density. Since cattle are given tiny amounts of hay with grain, soy, and other substances as supplements, the forage feed industry is expected to expand in the cattle livestock sector.

Asia Pacific contributes significantly to the forage feed market

The forage feed industry is expected to increase in the Asia Pacific area due to the rising demand for dairy and animal products as well as the availability of government subsidies. Due to the region's consistently rising population, decreasing pastureland for grazing animals, shifting consumer preferences toward organic food and feed products, and increasing demand for dairy and animal products, the forage feed market is anticipated to expand during the forecasted period. Furthermore, major regional economies namely India and China are among the leading cattle producers, according to the USDA, the total cattle beginning stock in China was 101,500 in 2023, whereas for Indian the strength stood at 307,500.  Additionally, a rise in demand for forage feed has been brought on by various government funding and initiatives to support the dairy industry.

Key Developments

• In September 2023: MAS Seeds launched a new range of forage mixtures and specialized blend inclusive of “MAS4 NUTRI” forage which are rich in legumes and would be used to increase animal diet. The new launches come as a part of the company’s efforts to increase its agronomic offerings to farmers.

Segmentation:

By Type

• Pasture
• Hay
• Silage
• Haylage

By Animal

• Ruminants
• Poultry
• Swine
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Spain
• Others
• Middle East And Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• Israel
• Other
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Taiwan
• Others