Nutrition and Feeding
Access resources on dairy cattle nutrition and feeding, including nutrition requirements, cattle feed management, water supply, and supplements. Find useful information and webinars on feeding and weaning calves, such as using calf milk replacer and colostrum.
Dairy Cattle Nutrition Management
Three types of nutritional management systems are typically used in dairy production – total mixed rations, component-fed rations, and pasture-based systems. Make the most of Penn State Extention’s dairy experts’ advice on each of these systems at our Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop. You can also access our free feed management monitoring tool for lactating cows, dry cows, and heifers.
The total mixed ration (TMR) nutritional system is perhaps the most widely adopted method for feeding high-producing dairy cows. As long as quality control is maintained, commodity ingredients can be effectively included in a dairy herd TMR diet, making it cost-effective.
Component-fed nutrition systems are also very common. Producers feed their herd with forages and concentrates separately throughout the day, usually following a fiber, energy, and protein feed sequence. Resources on component-fed nutrition and supplements are also available in this section.
Additionally, you can find information on precision feeding strategies and technologies, byproduct feeds, and even on precision feeding as a cost management mechanism.
Managing dairy herd nutrition for pastured cattle poses numerous challenges. Use Penn State Extension’s resources on nutrition models for lactating cows on pasture, pasturing dry cows and heifers, as well as advice on necessary dietary minerals and supplements.
Feed for Heifers, Lactating, and Dry Cows
Dairy cattle nutrition requirements are unique at each stage of lactation. Here you can find information and tools for managing the feeds for heifers, lactating, and dry cows.
Look up our resources on feed efficiency and controlling feed costs for heifers, or use the dairy heifer diet formulator tool.
Read more on the dietary needs of transition cows. Information on lactating cows’ nutritional needs is also readily available here, as well as in the Dairy Production and Milk Quality section.
Forage and Pasture Quality, Water Supply, and Use of Supplements
Dairy cattle should consume enough forage material – pasture grasses, fodder, and silage – to meet their daily caloric requirements. This can be achieved through grazing, using feeding equipment, or a combination of both. Common wet and dry forage materials include corn, barley, hay, alfalfa, and pasture grasses.
Learn how to determine forage quality, and understand forage ranking quality factors. Use our resources to get actionable insights on pasture quality and dairy grazing management.
To ensure the health and productivity of their cattle, dairy producers add various supplements and additives to the feed. High-energy supplements are often used for pasture-based nutritional systems, as are fat and alternative forage supplements.
Adequate intake of clean water is just as important as feeding for healthy cattle and milk production. You can find more information on cattle water requirements here, and get advice on watering systems in the Dairy Facilities and Milking Equipment section.
Feeding cows the right amount of food in the right combination helps them to maintain a healthy weight. Underweight or malnourished cows are unlikely to produce a high volume of good milk. Body condition scoring can help you determine whether a cow is at a healthy weight.
Weaning Strategies for Calves
Comprehensive resources related to feeding and weaning calves are also available here. From feeding the newborn dairy calf to colostrum supplements and feeding milk replacer, you can find all the necessary information and tools to manage calves’ nutrition needs. The Calf Milk Pasteurization Evaluator can also be a useful tool for producers, helping them determine the costs of operating a pasteurizer and feeding waste milk to calves.
Additionally, Penn State Extension provides insights and best practices on weaning strategies and nutrition considerations. You can browse our Dairy Cow Reproduction section for even more information on dairy cattle breeding and calving.
- Articles
Where Does Hay Fit Into the Calf Diet?
Decisions to add hay to calf diets should be based on management of the calf and heifer program on farm. - Tools and Apps
Spreadsheet to Price Standing Corn for Silage
Use this spreadsheet to price your standing corn for silage. - Articles
Dairy Sense: Hot Weather Ration Sense
Feeding milk cows differently during hot summer months helps to offset reduced feed intake. - Articles
Interpretación de los análisis de agua de bebida para ganado lechero
Este artículo describe algunos de los contaminantes comunes que se encuentran en los suministros de agua en Pensilvania y su efecto potencial en las vacas lecheras. - Articles
Interpreting Drinking Water Tests for Dairy Cows
This article describes some of the common pollutants found in water supplies in Pennsylvania and their potential effect on dairy cows. - Articles
Ionophores: A Technology to Improve Cattle Efficiency
This article explains how the use of ionophores—antibiotics that shift ruminal fermentation patterns—can improve cattle production efficiency. - Articles
The Value of Water
From calves to lactating cows, it is essential to make sure the herd has an ample and clean water supply. - Articles
Dairy Sense: Impact of Changing Pasture Quality
When using pasture to supplement forage inventory, pasture quality should be monitored for changing conditions. - Webinars
Free
Feeding Practices to Prevent Subacute Ruminal Acidosis
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Feb 20, 2024Event Format On-Demand | RecordedJoin Dr. Van Saun's webinar to optimize livestock health. Identify and prevent SARA, empowering producers with proactive strategies. Enhance your expertise – don't miss out! - News
Penn State Extension Dairy Team Welcomes Kasey Hower
Date Posted 2/22/2024Kasey Hower joins the dairy team as an educator based out of Berks County, PA. - Webinars
Free
Preventing Dairy Cow Ketosis: Transition Cow Management
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Jan 30, 2024Event Format On-Demand | RecordedLearn about proper feeding, effective cow grouping, and the role of body condition in preventing ketosis in this informative webinar. - Articles
Total Mixed Rations for Dairy Cows
This informative publication explains how feeding a total mixed ration (TMR) help dairy cows achieve maximum performance and is the most common method for feeding high producing dairy cows. - Articles
Managing Income Over Feed Costs
To remain profitable, producers should be monitoring and making decisions based on their herd's "income over feed costs" (IOFC). - Articles
Achieving a Healthy Weaning Transition
Ensuring that your calves are achieving a healthy weaning transition is key to their nutritional success as they grow and develop. - Articles
Using the Body Condition Scoring Excel Spreadsheet Series
Instructions for the Body Condition Scoring spreadsheet series, used to evaluate body condition in cows and heifers. Spreadsheet series is designed for a scale of 1 to 5. - Articles
Nutrition, Immunity and Mastitis
The role of nutrition in mastitis prevention is reviewed relative to its impact on immune response of dairy cows - Articles
Determining Forage Quality: Understanding Feed Analysis
Learn how to use feed analysis to determine forage quality, and exactly what feeding a high quality forage means. - Articles
Troubleshooting Silage Problems
Practical information for evaluating silage quality and feeding management to determine its potential role in production or health problems on the dairy farm. - Articles
Finding the Ideal Calf Starter
Overall health and performance should be the determining factor when selecting a calf starter. - Articles
Carbohydrate Nutrition for Lactating Dairy Cattle
Article describes why carbohydrates (CHO) are the major source of energy for rumen microorganisms and the single-largest component of a dairy cow’s diet. - Online Courses
$49.00
Dairy Skills: Feeding Management
Sections 5Length 5 hours, 30 minutesLearn the basics of dairy rations, dairy feeding systems, working safely around and maintaining feeding equipment, and identifying problems related to feeding. - Articles
Component Feeding Systems
The goal with component feeding or a PMR is to mimic the approach of a TMR by avoiding wide swings in rumen pH that can cause acidosis, milk fat depression or other performance related issues. - Articles
Tracking Milk Prices and Feed Costs
This informative publication details how milk and feed price volatility can have an adverse impact a dairy farm's profitability. - Articles
Troubleshooting Problems with Low Milk Fat and Milk Protein
This informative article covers the importance of monitoring the milk components of a herd and how it can assist in identifying the health and nutritional status of lactating cows. - Articles
Concentrates for Dairy Cattle
Explains how low-fiber, high-energy feeds like concentrates can be used to raise the energy level of the ration for dairy cattle and compensate for other deficiencies.