High producing dairy cows will eat 110 to 120 pounds of wet feed a day or 50 to 55 pounds of dry matter (DM) a day. As cows produce more milk, they eat more. A typical diet for a dairy cow could include about 30 to 35 pounds of baled hay (26-30 pounds DM) and 25 pounds of grain mix (22 pounds DM). Grain includes corn, soybean meal, minerals, and vitamins.
Dave Fischer, Extension Dairy Educator, University of Illinois – Illini DairyNET and
Mike Hutjens, Extension Dairy Specialist, University of Illinois – Illini DairyNET