What Kind of Cow Feed Do Cows Like Most?

Cattle are a staple of the meat and dairy industry. Beef is regularly eaten in North America as a staple part of the diet, while milk and cheese are consumed as huge sources of protein. Knowing how to raise a happy and healthy cow is a must for good production. The main ingredient to a happy cow is good feed, so knowing what kind of feed cattle like and will consume readily is an important part of management.

  1. Sweet Feed

    • No owner can go wrong with providing their cow a feed that consists of grain, molasses and ground forage mixed with protein, vitamins and minerals. Common sweet feed can be found at almost any feed store, and is a sugar-sweet treat that cows will eat with gusto. This is a great feed for fattening up a cow.

    Alfalfa and Hay

    • For the dairy cow, good quality alfalfa with a high protein content is not only delicious and desirable, it helps them produce almost twice as much milk. Cattle love good hay and alfalfa. They are ruminants, so any good quality forage is the staple part of their diet and will reflect in their overall health.

    Cubed Feeds

    • This is the most common type of cattle feed. Plant forage products, along with ground grains, additives and supplements, are all ground up, cooked and combined with molasses or other sweetener and pressed into large cubes. These are tasty for the cow and can provide all the nutrition they need to be healthy and productive.

    Green Grass

    • The simplest and best feed for a cow is good pasture. Cows are made to graze, and will do so for a majority of the day, spending the rest of the time napping and chewing their cud. Providing cattle a pasture of fresh, green grass of any type is a sure way to get a cow gaining weight and making it mentally happy.