Whether you’re planning to bring your first dairy cow home or you’re looking to optimise feed costs on your small farm, understanding exactly how much feed a dairy cow needs daily is crucial for both your budget and your cow’s health. Get the feeding amounts wrong, and you’ll either overspend on unnecessary feed or watch milk production plummet. Neither scenario helps your self-sufficient farming goals.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down daily feed requirements by cow size and production level, explore the best feed types for Australian conditions, and give you practical strategies to manage feed costs without compromising milk quality.
How Much Feed Does a Dairy Cow Need: The Essential Numbers
A dairy cow’s daily feed requirements depend on several factors, but here are the baseline figures every small farm owner needs to know:
Total Daily Dry Matter Intake:
- Small cows (400-450kg): 12-15kg dry matter per day
- Medium cows (500-550kg): 15-18kg dry matter per day
- Large cows (600kg+): 18-22kg dry matter per day
Fresh Feed Equivalent:
Since fresh pasture contains roughly 20-25% dry matter, you’ll need:
- Small cows: 48-75kg fresh feed daily
- Medium cows: 60-90kg fresh feed daily
- Large cows: 72-110kg fresh feed daily
These figures represent the baseline for maintenance. Lactating cows producing 15-30 litres of milk daily will need significantly more – typically an additional 0.4-0.5kg of dry matter for every litre of milk produced.
The reality is that most small farm owners underestimate just how much quality feed their dairy cows actually need. A single Holstein producing 25 litres daily might consume the equivalent of 90-100kg of fresh grass per day during peak lactation, which is roughly the weight of an adult person in feed, every single day.
Breaking Down Feed Types and Quantities
Pasture as the Foundation
Quality pasture should form the backbone of your dairy cow’s diet. In ideal conditions with lush, well-managed grass:
Pasture Intake Guidelines:
- Target: 60-80% of total daily intake from pasture
- Fresh grass consumption: 60-90kg per day for average cows
- Grazing time: 6-8 hours per day optimal
- Pasture dry matter: Usually 20-25% (varies by season and grass type)
The challenge with pasture-only feeding is seasonal variation. During drought or winter, pasture quality drops dramatically, and you’ll need to supplement heavily to maintain milk production.
Hay and Silage Requirements
When pasture isn’t sufficient, hay and silage fill the gap:
Good Quality Hay:
- Dry matter content: 85-90%
- Daily requirement: 2-2.5% of body weight
- For a 550kg cow: 11-14kg hay per day
- Storage tip: Calculate 2-3 tonnes per cow for winter months
Silage Feeding:
- Dry matter content: 30-40%
- Daily requirement: 25-35kg fresh weight
- Quality indicator: Should smell sweet, not sour or mouldy
- Feeding frequency: 2-3 times daily for best utilisation
Grain and Concentrate Supplements
Grains boost energy for high-producing cows but should be introduced gradually:
Grain Feeding Guidelines:
- Maximum safe amount: 0.5% of body weight per feeding
- Daily limit: 6-8kg for large cows, split across 2-3 feeds
- Common grains: Barley, wheat, corn, lupins
- Introduction period: Increase by 0.5kg every 3-4 days
Concentrate Mixes:
- Dairy pellets: 2-4kg daily based on milk production
- Protein meals: 0.5-1kg daily (canola, soybean meal)
- Mineral supplements: 50-100g daily essential
Overfeeding grain is one of the most common mistakes new dairy farmers make. Too much grain too quickly can cause acidosis, dramatically reducing milk production and potentially killing your cow.
Feed Requirements by Production Level
Your cow’s milk production directly impacts her feed needs:
Low Producers (10-15 litres daily)
- Total dry matter: 2.5-3% body weight
- Pasture focus: 70-80% of diet
- Supplements: Minimal grain, quality hay backup
- Daily cost estimate: $8-12 per cow
Medium Producers (15-25 litres daily)
- Total dry matter: 3-3.5% body weight
- Pasture plus: 2-4kg grain daily
- Hay requirement: 5-8kg when pasture limited
- Daily cost estimate: $12-18 per cow
High Producers (25+ litres daily)
- Total dry matter: 3.5-4% body weight
- Intensive feeding: 4-6kg grain plus quality forage
- Protein boost: Additional protein meals required
- Daily cost estimate: $18-25 per cow
The economics become clear when you break it down this way; high-producing cows cost significantly more to feed, but the extra milk income usually justifies the investment if you’re selling milk or making value-added products.
Seasonal Feed Planning in Australia
Australian conditions demand flexible feeding strategies:
Summer Feeding Strategy
- Challenge: Heat stress reduces intake
- Solution: Feed during cooler morning/evening hours
- Pasture management: Rotational grazing essential
- Water requirements: 80-120 litres daily (increases with temperature)
Winter Feeding Strategy
- Challenge: Limited pasture growth
- Hay requirements: 80-120 bales per cow for 4-month period
- Energy boost: Increase grain ration by 1-2kg daily
- Shelter: Adequate protection improves feed efficiency
Drought Management
- Feed budget: Calculate 6-month supply minimum
- Alternative forages: Sorghum, millet hay, crop residues
- Cost management: Buy hay early season when prices lower
- Culling decisions: Reduce herd size if feed costs unsustainable
Managing Feed Costs Effectively
Feed typically represents 60-70% of dairy cow costs, so smart management is crucial:
Cost-Saving Strategies:
- Buy hay in season: Purchase during harvest when prices lowest
- Pasture improvement: Invest in better grass varieties for long-term savings
- Feed testing: Test hay quality before purchase, protein and energy content matter
- Storage: Proper hay storage prevents waste from weather damage
Feed Conversion Monitoring:
- Track milk per kg feed: Aim for 1.2-1.5 litres milk per kg total feed
- Body condition scoring: Monthly assessment prevents over/underfeeding
- Record keeping: Track feed costs against milk production monthly
The most successful small dairy operations view feed as an investment, not just a cost. Feeding a cow well costs more upfront but generates significantly higher returns through increased milk production, better fertility, and longer productive life.
Practical Feeding Schedule
Here’s a realistic daily feeding routine that works for most small farms:
Morning (6:00-7:00 AM):
- First milking
- 2-3kg grain/pellets in milking parlour
- Turn out to fresh pasture
Midday (12:00-1:00 PM):
- Check water systems
- Provide hay if pasture insufficient
- Move to fresh paddock if rotational grazing
Evening (5:00-6:00 PM):
- Second milking
- Remaining grain ration
- Evening hay feeding if required
Feed Quality Indicators:
- Good pasture: 15cm+ height, green and leafy
- Quality hay: Sweet smell, green colour, minimal dust
- Fresh supplements: Check use-by dates, store properly
Essential Feeding Equipment
Basic Requirements:
- Feed troughs: 60cm per cow minimum
- Hay feeders: Reduces waste by 20-30%
- Water systems: Automatic waterers ideal
- Storage: Weatherproof feed sheds essential
Feed Testing Kit:
- Hay probe: For sampling bales
- Basic testing: Protein and energy levels
- Annual soil test: Determines pasture mineral needs
Understanding how much feed a dairy cow needs daily is fundamental to successful small-scale dairy farming. The investment in quality feed pays dividends through higher milk production, better cow health, and reduced veterinary costs. Start with these guidelines, monitor your cow’s condition and production closely, and adjust feeding rates based on seasonal conditions and individual performance.
Remember, a well-fed cow is a productive cow and productive cows are the foundation of any successful dairy operation, whether you’re aiming for family self-sufficiency or building a small commercial venture.
