Feed wheat is a specific type of wheat that is primarily used as animal feed. In contrast to bread wheat, which places high demands on baking properties and quality, feed wheat does not meet these criteria and is therefore not used for food production. Classification is usually based on parameters such as protein content, falling number, hectoliter weight and mycotoxin contamination. If the quality is below the standards for milling wheat, the batch is marketed as feed wheat.
In the agricultural sector, feed wheat plays a central role in agricultural trade, especially in regions with intensive livestock farming. It is traded on the agricultural market via agricultural futures exchanges and physical trading centers. Price trends are closely linked to demand from the animal feed industry and factors such as weather conditions, crop yields and international markets. The sale of feed wheat is an important source of income for farmers, while feed manufacturers are dependent on a continuous supply of attractively priced raw materials.
Feed wheat can be fed directly or processed into compound feed. It is important to precisely analyze the ingredients in order to ensure balanced animal feed. Feed wheat is particularly relevant in the context of pig and cattle feed, as it provides a cost-effective source of energy. It is also an important component of the price hedging strategy in commodity futures trading for agricultural commodities. Precise knowledge of the properties and market mechanisms surrounding feed wheat is crucial for players in agricultural trade in order to make well-founded trading decisions.
