What type of forage is primarily grown for livestock feed?

Grasses are primarily grown for livestock feed because they provide the bulk of the forage consumed by herbivorous animals. They are high in fiber, which is essential for the digestive health of livestock, and they provide carbohydrates for energy. Grasses such as ryegrass, timothy, and fescue are commonly cultivated specifically for feeding animals like cows, sheep, and goats.

Legumes, while also significant as forage because of their high protein content and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, are not as widely used as grasses for traditional livestock feed. However, they can be used in combination with grasses to enhance the nutritional profile of the feed. Roots and barks are not typically grown as forage for livestock; roots may be consumed occasionally, but they are not a staple source of nutrition, and barks are generally inedible for livestock. Therefore, grasses are the primary forages used in livestock feeding systems.