Q&A: Are cattle fed unnatural corn diets in a feedyard?

Question

Are cattle fed unnatural corn diets in a feedyard?

Answer

Feedyard cattle do not eat diets made up entirely of corn. They start by eating a lot of hay and fiber, then move to a higher energy diet with a variety of grains. Corn is one part of a carefully balanced, nutritious diet provided in feedlots under the guidance of animal nutritionists.