How Much to Feed a Cow After Calving?

The level of nutrients required by a nursing cow depends on the size of the new mother and her milking level. The newborn calves need approximately 20 pounds of milk daily to grow and maintain health until they begin supplementing the milk with grass and hay around 3 months of age. By mixing the quantities of hay and grain to reach particular nutrient levels, the cattle farmer supports the cow's milk production until the calf is weaned.

  1. 1000-Pound Cow

    • Immediately after calving, a 1000-pound cow requires 24 pounds of nutrients to produce 17 pounds of milk to feed her calf on a daily basis. Sixty percent of that food needs to be TDN -- total digestible nutrients consisting of carbohydrates and protein. Each pound of TDN totals approximately 2000 calories, according to the Journal of Animal Science. To maintain optimal health of the mother and calf, calcium and phosphorus should be added to the feed regardless of the cow̵7;s weight.

      The nutritional values of the cow̵7;s feed must increase as her calf ages. At three months, the cow needs to consume 25 pounds of food consisting of 60 percent TDN (30,000 calories) to produce 18 pounds of milk. Once the calf comes off the teat at around 4 months and begins consuming hay and grass, the amount of the cow̵7;s feed can be reduced to lower her milk production. By weaning time at 7 months, the mother cow will be eating 22 pounds of feed with approximately 54 percent TDN to produce a little over 5 pounds of milk daily.

    1200-Pound Cow

    • A 1200-pound cow needs approximately 27 pounds of feed after calving with 60 percent TDN to make 17 pounds of milk for her calf. By month three, 29 pounds of feed and 58 percent TDN (33,000 calories) are necessary for the 18 pounds of necessary milk production. The cow requires 25 pounds of feed with 53 percent TDN to produce 5 pounds of milk by the time the calf is ready to wean at 7 months.

    1400-Pound Cow

    • To produce 17 pounds of milk for her newborn calf, the 1400-pound cow needs 30 pounds of nutrient-rich feed with 60 percent TDN (36,000 calories). At three months, approximately 31 pounds of feed and 58 percent TDN allows for 18 pounds of milk production. At the 7-month weaning time, the cow will only require 28 pounds of feed with 53 percent TDN to make 5 pounds of milk.