The Cow
 Feed
 
It may surprise you to find out that most dairy cows eat better than you do.  That's because cows are fed a diet based on what they need to grow and produce milk.  The food that cows are fed is mixed all together and called a total mixed ration (TMR).  Cows can't pick out the foods that they most like because they are all mixed together.  This keeps the cow eating just the right amount of each food.  People eat their 
food separately so they often eat more of things they shouldn't (candy and snacks) and less of things they should (fruits, vegetables, and of course milk). 
 
A typical cow's diet might look like this: 
 
 
 
In addition to this, cows drink 255 lb. (30 gallons) of water every day! 
    
She eats this in just one day.  What the cow eats effects how much milk she produces, how much weight she gains, and how healthy she is.  The amounts and types of feed that a cow is fed depends on how much she weighs, how much milk she gives, how old she is, and where she is in her gestation cycle.  Dairy farmers work with nutritional consultants to put rations together to meet the nutritional needs for the different groups of cows on their farms. 
 
Description of Individual Feeds
 
Haylage – Haylage is moist alfalfa that has been ensiled (fermented) so that it will not spoil. Haylage is an important source of protein and fiber to the cow. Back to chart 

Corn silage – Corn silage is made by chopping the whole corn plant and then ensiling it so that it will not spoil.  Corn silage is a source of fiber and energy. Back to chart 

Cottonseeds – Cottonseeds are a byproduct from the clothing industry.  Cotton is used to make your clothes and then cows can use the cottonseeds for energy and fiber.  This use of byproducts makes cows an important part of reducing waste. Back to chart 

Corn grain – Corn grain is dry kernels of corn that are usually cracked or ground before feeding to cows.  Corn grain provides energy to the cow. Back to chart 

High moisture corn – High moisture corn is put in storage when it is wetter than corn grain.  It ferments much like haylage and corn silage.  This allows it to be stored in silos. Back to chart 

Distillers grains – Distillers grains are a byproduct of ethanol production.  Ethanol is used in many ways including running your car.  Cows use this byproduct for energy and keep it from going to waste. Back to chart 

Soybean meal – Soybean meal is made from soybeans.  Soybeans are processed and much of the oil is removed for use by humans like you.  Cows use the soybean meal that is left as a source of protein. Back to chart 

Minerals/vitamins – Cows need minerals and vitamins to stay healthy just like you do. Back to chart 

Water – Water is the most important nutrient in the cow's diet.  Without adequate water cows will not produce very much milk and will not be healthy. 
Back to chart 
 
 
Why are cows good for the food system and people? 
 
Cows can eat forages (grass and hay) and turn them into milk and meat.  People cannot eat these plants. 
  
Why? 
People have a simple digestive system that can't use the fiber from plants for energy.  Cows have a stomach with four compartments. 
 
  The largest part is called the rumen, which provides a place for good bacteria to break down the fiber in the plants so the cow can use it for energy. 

Cows eat byproducts that would normally go to waste (cottonseeds, soybean meal, distillers grain, etc.). Another neat thing about cows is how they eat.  Cows like to eat a lot of food at one time, but they don't chew it real well when they are eating. Cows are called ruminants because they regurgitate their food and chew it later. 
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