Rust Farming Guide: Plants, Livestock and Food Basics

Food keeps you alive in Rust. Farming gives you a steady supply so you don't have to hunt all day. This guide covers the basics, including the new livestock.

Plants

• Find seeds by picking plants in the world.
• Put seeds in planters and give them water.
• Plants have genetics. You can clone and breed them to get stronger plants.
• Place planters where there is light, and keep them close to your base.

Livestock (new in October 2026)

The Livestock update added cows and sheep.

• Cows give milk. Sheep give wool.
• Both drop dung, and you can harvest meat, bones and leather.
• They have genetics too, so you can breed for better animals.

What to do with milk

• Raw milk lasts about 4 hours in a fridge.
• You can skim it into skimmed milk and cream.
• Milk makes tea effects last longer. Cream makes them stronger.

New meals

• Beef and mutton are new meats.
• Shepherd's Pie and Beef Pie are new meals.

Turn leftovers into fuel

The new Biofuel Generator turns raw or spoiled meat into Low Grade Fuel. You stir it by hand about every 30 minutes.

Selling animals

You can sell grown animals at the Stables. You get a random offer. You can say no 3 times, then the vendor waits 15 minutes.

Tips

• Start with plants. They are simpler.
• Build a pen before you bring animals home.
• Check your food often.

Source: Facepunch's official Livestock update notes at rust.facepunch.com.

Playing on Sanguine Rust? Check the in-game wiki for what works on our islands. What is Sanguine Rust?