Livestock producers are switching from imported corn to feed wheat now available from the winter harvest. China imported 11.3 million tons of corn in calendar 2020, exceding the low-tariff cap of 7.2 million tons. In an attempt to reduce reliance on imported corn, 43 million tons of wheat held in reserve was released from October 2020 through May 2021. During the 2021 harvest season producers in China consumed 38 million tons of feed wheat. It is expected that an equivalent or greater quantity will be used during the 2021-2022 crop year.
Wheat can be substituted for corn but requires inclusion of xylanase and other enzymes in diets to enhance digestibility and intestinal function in monogastric species.
Substitution of wheat for corn will reduce potential exports from the U.S. to China. this will ultimately reduce cost to domestic livestock producers.