# Evaluating Dairy Cow Feed Efficiency and Feed Conversion Ratios ## Key Takeaways - Feed efficiency in dairy cows is quantified as pounds of energy-corrected milk (ECM) produced per pound of dry matter (DM) consumed, with typical Holstein averages ranging from 1.4 to 1.6 lbs ECM/lb DM. The inverse, feed conversion ratio (FCR), represents pounds of DM needed per pound of ECM, where lower values indicate higher efficiency. - Accurate measurement of dry matter intake (DMI) is paramount, requiring precise weighing of feed offered and refused over a minimum of 3-5 days, accounting for the dry matter percentage of each feed ingredient. Milk production should be standardized to ECM or fat-corrected milk (FCM) to account for variations in milk fat and protein content. - Feed efficiency is dynamic, significantly influenced by lactation stage, parity, body condition, health status, and ration formulation; therefore, comparisons should only be made between cows within similar management groups. Factors such as rumen health, feed sorting behavior, bunk management, and cow comfort often have a greater impact on efficiency than genetics alone. - Monthly tracking of feed efficiency trends is crucial for early detection of problems, enabling timely intervention to prevent significant financial losses. A herd average feed efficiency below 1.2 lbs ECM/lb DM in mid-lactation cows warrants immediate investigation into potential causes like ration imbalances, subclinical disease, or poor cow comfort. - Common pitfalls in evaluating feed efficiency include using raw milk weights, insufficient intake measurement duration, neglecting feed refusals, and comparing cows across disparate lactation stages or body condition scores. Focusing solely on feed efficiency without considering profitability or potential negative impacts on body condition or health can be counterproductive. --- Feed is the largest single expense on most dairy operations, often accounting for 50 to 60 percent of total production costs. Yet many herds have never measured how efficiently their cows convert that feed into milk. This guide explains what [dairy cow feed efficiency](/knowledge/animal-farming/dairy-cattle/dairy-cow-feed-efficiency-measuring-and-improving-conversion) means, how to calculate and track feed conversion ratios, and how to use those numbers to make better management decisions. It is written for dairy producers, herd managers, and farm employees who want to reduce feed costs without sacrificing milk production. ## At a Glance - Feed efficiency in dairy cows is the amount of milk produced per unit of dry matter consumed, usually expressed as pounds of milk per pound of dry matter intake. - [Feed conversion ratio](/knowledge/animal-farming/poultry/feed-conversion-ratio-measuring-improving-poultry-efficiency) (FCR) is the inverse: pounds of feed dry matter needed to produce one pound of milk. - A typical Holstein herd averages 1.4 to 1.6 pounds of milk per pound of dry matter, but individual cow variation is large. - Dry matter intake is the most important variable to measure accurately. Weigh feed offered and refused for at least 3 to 5 days before calculating any ratio. - Milk production should be measured in energy-corrected milk (ECM) or fat-corrected milk (FCM) rather than raw pounds to account for milk components. - Group-level feed efficiency is more practical than individual cow feed efficiency on most commercial farms. - Feed efficiency changes with lactation stage, parity, body condition, health status, and ration formulation. Compare cows only within similar groups. - Rumen health, feed sorting, bunk management, and cow comfort often matter more than genetics when feed efficiency is poor. - Monthly tracking of feed efficiency trends helps identify problems early, before they become large financial losses. ## Understanding Dairy Cow Feed Efficiency Feed efficiency describes how well a cow converts the nutrients she eats into milk, body tissue, and other outputs. In simple terms, it is the ratio of output to input. For dairy cows, the most common measure is pounds of milk produced per pound of dry matter consumed. A cow that eats 50 pounds of dry matter and produces 80 pounds of milk has a feed efficiency of 1.6. The feed conversion ratio is the reverse calculation. It tells you how many pounds of feed dry matter are required to produce one pound of milk. Using the same example, the feed conversion ratio would be 0.625 (50 divided by 80). Lower feed conversion ratios indicate better efficiency because less feed is needed per unit of milk. Both numbers describe the same relationship, but they are used in different contexts. Feed efficiency is more common in dairy nutrition discussions and genetic evaluations. Feed conversion ratio is more common in beef production and in economic analyses where the cost of feed per unit of output matters. ### Why Feed Efficiency Matters on Dairy Farms Feed costs have risen steadily over the past two decades. Corn silage, alfalfa hay, soybean meal, and other feed ingredients now represent a larger share of total production costs than they did in previous generations. At the same time, milk prices have remained volatile. Producers who can produce the same amount of milk with less feed, or more milk with the same feed, protect their profit margins. Feed efficiency also has environmental implications. Cows that convert feed to milk more efficiently produce less manure per unit of milk and release fewer greenhouse gases per pound of milk. While environmental benefits are not the primary motivation for most producers, they are becoming relevant for regulatory compliance and market access in some regions. Beyond the direct cost savings, feed efficiency is a useful diagnostic tool. When feed efficiency drops suddenly or is consistently below expected values, it often signals problems with ration formulation, feed quality, bunk management, cow health, or cow comfort. Tracking feed efficiency helps you catch these problems early. ### Limitations of Feed Efficiency as a Metric Feed efficiency is a useful tool, but it has important limitations. The ratio can be misleading if you do not account for what the cow is doing with the nutrients she consumes. A cow that produces 60 pounds of milk and gains 2 pounds of body weight per day may have the same feed efficiency as a cow that produces 70 pounds of milk and loses body condition. The first cow is storing energy for the future. The second cow is mobilizing body reserves to support current production. Feed efficiency also does not capture milk composition. Two cows eating the same amount of feed can produce the same volume of milk, but one may produce milk with 4.0 percent butterfat while the other produces milk with 3.2 percent butterfat. The first cow is more efficient at producing milk fat, which is valuable. Energy-corrected milk accounts for these differences by standardizing milk to a common fat and protein content. Finally, feed efficiency is a ratio, and ratios can be manipulated by changing either the numerator or the denominator. Reducing dry matter intake will improve feed efficiency even if milk production also drops. The goal is not to maximize feed efficiency at any cost. The goal is to maximize profit, which usually means finding the optimal balance between feed input and milk output. ## How to Measure Feed Efficiency on Your Farm Measuring feed efficiency requires accurate data on two things: how much dry matter cows consume and how much milk they produce. Both measurements are more difficult than they appear. ### Measuring Dry Matter Intake Dry matter intake is the weight of feed consumed after removing water. Feeds vary widely in moisture content. Fresh grass silage might be 65 percent moisture, while dry hay might be 10 percent moisture. If you compare feed intakes without accounting for moisture, your calculations will be wrong. To measure dry matter intake accurately, follow these steps: 1. Determine the dry matter percentage of each feed ingredient. Use a Koster tester, microwave oven, or send samples to a commercial forage testing laboratory. For the most accurate results, test each new load of feed and retest whenever the feed changes visibly. 2. Calculate the dry matter of the total ration. Multiply each ingredient weight by its dry matter percentage, then divide by the total as-fed weight. For example, if you feed 30 pounds of corn silage at 35 percent dry matter, that contributes 10.5 pounds of dry matter. If you feed 10 pounds of hay at 88 percent dry matter, that contributes 8.8 pounds. Total as-fed weight is 40 pounds, and total dry matter is 19.3 pounds, so the ration is 48.25 percent dry matter. 3. Weigh feed offered. Use a scale on the mixer wagon or weigh each load. Do not rely on volume measurements such as loader buckets or shovel scoops. Volume measurements are inaccurate because feed density varies with moisture, particle size, and packing. 4. Weigh feed refused. Feed refusals, also called orts, must be weighed and subtracted from feed offered. If cows leave 5 percent of their feed, your dry matter intake calculation will be inflated by 5 percent if you ignore refusals. 5. Calculate dry matter intake. Subtract refused dry matter from offered dry matter, then divide by the number of cows in the group. For example, if a group of 100 cows is offered 6,000 pounds of dry matter and leaves 300 pounds of dry matter in the bunk, total consumption is 5,700 pounds. Average dry matter intake per cow is 57 pounds. For group-level feed efficiency, you only need group averages. For individual cow feed efficiency, you need individual intake data, which requires either feeding each cow separately or using electronic feeding systems with transponder tags. These systems are available from several manufacturers and are becoming more common on large dairies, but they represent a significant capital investment. ### Measuring Milk Production Milk production can be measured at the group level using bulk tank weights or flow meters. For individual cow records, most producers use the Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) testing program or on-farm milk meters. Raw milk weights are not sufficient for feed efficiency calculations. Milk with higher fat and protein content contains more energy and is more valuable. Energy-corrected milk standardizes production to a common basis so you can compare cows and groups fairly. The standard formula for energy-corrected milk is: ECM = (0.327 x pounds of milk) + (12.95 x pounds of fat) + (7.2 x pounds of protein) To use this formula, you need to know the fat and protein content of the milk. Most DHIA testing programs provide this information. If you do not test milk components regularly, you can use the breed average or your herd's historical average, but this introduces error into your calculations. A simpler alternative is 3.5 percent fat-corrected milk: FCM = (0.432 x pounds of milk) + (16.216 x pounds of fat) This formula only accounts for milk fat, not protein, so it is less complete than ECM but still better than raw milk weights. ### Calculating Feed Efficiency Once you have dry matter intake and milk production data, the calculation is straightforward: Feed efficiency = pounds of energy-corrected milk divided by pounds of dry matter intake For example, a cow that eats 55 pounds of dry matter and produces 90 pounds of ECM has a feed efficiency of 1.64 (90 divided by 55). The feed conversion ratio is the inverse: Feed conversion ratio = pounds of dry matter intake divided by pounds of energy-corrected milk Using the same example, the feed conversion ratio is 0.61 (55 divided by 90). ### How Often to Measure Feed efficiency varies from day to day because dry matter intake fluctuates with weather, feeding times, ration changes, and cow behavior. A single day of data is not reliable. Measure feed efficiency over at least 3 to 5 days and use the average. For most farms, a monthly feed efficiency check is adequate. This gives you enough data to identify trends without creating excessive labor demands. If you suspect a problem, run a more intensive measurement over a week or two. ## Factors That Affect Feed Efficiency in Dairy Cows Many factors influence how efficiently a cow converts feed into milk. Understanding these factors helps you interpret your feed efficiency numbers and identify opportunities for improvement. ### Lactation Stage Feed efficiency changes dramatically across the lactation cycle. In early lactation, cows are producing high volumes of milk while their dry matter intake has not yet caught up with their energy demands. They mobilize body fat to support milk production, which makes them appear very feed efficient. A fresh cow producing 100 pounds of milk while eating only 45 pounds of dry matter has a feed efficiency of 2.2, but she is losing body condition and may be at risk for metabolic disease. In mid-lactation, dry matter intake peaks and milk production begins to decline. Feed efficiency drops to more moderate levels, typically 1.3 to 1.5. In late lactation, milk production declines further while intake remains relatively high. Feed efficiency may drop below 1.0, but the cow is gaining body condition in preparation for the next lactation. Comparing feed efficiency across different lactation stages is not meaningful. Compare cows within the same stage of lactation or compare your herd's feed efficiency to benchmarks for the same average days in milk. ### Parity First-lactation heifers are still growing while they are producing milk. They partition more nutrients toward body growth and therefore have lower feed efficiency than mature cows at the same stage of lactation. A first-lactation cow might have a feed efficiency of 1.2 while a mature cow in the same group is at 1.5. This is normal and expected. ### Genetics Individual cows vary in their genetic potential for feed efficiency. Some cows simply convert feed to milk more efficiently than others, even when managed identically. Research has shown that feed efficiency is moderately heritable, meaning you can improve it through genetic selection. However, selecting for feed efficiency alone can be counterproductive. Cows that are extremely feed efficient may be sacrificing body condition, immune function, or reproductive performance. A more balanced approach is to select for overall profitability, which includes feed efficiency as one component. The Holstein Association USA and other breed organizations now include feed efficiency in their selection indices. Genomic testing can identify animals with favorable feed efficiency genetics, but the accuracy of these predictions is still developing. ### Ration Formulation The nutrient content and physical form of the ration have a large impact on feed efficiency. Cows need a balanced supply of energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins to produce milk efficiently. If any nutrient is deficient, milk production suffers and feed efficiency drops. Carbohydrate sources matter. Rations that are too high in rapidly fermentable starch can cause rumen acidosis, which reduces fiber digestion and dry matter intake. Rations that are too high in fiber may limit energy intake and reduce milk production. The goal is a ration that provides enough fermentable energy to support milk production while maintaining rumen health. Protein quality and quantity also matter. Cows need adequate metabolizable protein to support milk [protein synthesis](/blog/guides/protein-synthesis-a-step-by-step-guide-to-transcription-and-translation). Excess protein is excreted in urine, which wastes nitrogen and increases feed costs without increasing production. Work with a nutritionist to formulate rations that meet, but do not exceed, the cow's protein requirements. ### Feed Quality and Consistency Feed efficiency depends on the quality of the feeds you purchase or grow. Corn silage that was harvested at the wrong moisture content, hay that was rained on, or grain that was stored improperly all have lower nutrient content than expected. If you formulate a ration assuming feed contains 35 percent dry matter and it actually contains 30 percent, your cows will not get the nutrients you intended. Consistency is equally important. Cows prefer a consistent ration. When the ration changes from day to day, cows eat less and produce less milk. Feed efficiency drops even though you are feeding the same amount of feed. ### Bunk Management How you deliver feed affects how much cows eat and how efficiently they use it. Cows should have access to fresh feed for 20 to 22 hours per day. The bunk should be cleaned out regularly to remove spoiled feed and prevent the buildup of old feed that discourages intake. Push up feed frequently, especially in the hours after feeding and during hot weather. Cows that have to reach over a bunk rail to access feed eat less and may sort the ration. Feed should be delivered at the same time each day to establish a predictable routine. ### Cow Comfort and Health Cows that are stressed, sick, or uncomfortable eat less and produce less milk. Lameness is a major cause of reduced feed efficiency because lame cows spend less time at the bunk and have difficulty competing for feed. Mastitis, metritis, ketosis, and other diseases all reduce feed intake and milk production. Heat stress is another major factor. When cows are heat stressed, they reduce dry matter intake to lower their metabolic heat production. Milk production drops, and feed efficiency suffers. Provide shade, ventilation, sprinklers, and adequate water to help cows cope with hot weather. ### Feed Sorting Cows are selective eaters. When given a total mixed ration, they will often sort for the smaller, more palatable particles such as grain and concentrate, leaving behind the longer forage particles. This means the feed they actually consume is different from the ration you formulated. Feed sorting reduces feed efficiency because cows consume an imbalanced diet. They get too much starch and not enough effective fiber, which can cause acidosis and reduced butterfat. They also waste feed, because the forage particles they sort out may be pushed into the alley or left in the bunk. Monitor feed sorting by observing the bunk regularly and by using a particle separator to check the physical form of the ration. Deliver feed more frequently, use a higher forage-to-concentrate ratio, or add water or molasses to help reduce sorting. ## Improving Feed Efficiency on Your Dairy Improving feed efficiency requires a systematic approach. You cannot simply change one thing and expect dramatic results. Instead, you need to evaluate your entire feeding program and make improvements across multiple areas. ### Step 1: Establish a Baseline Before you can improve feed efficiency, you need to know where you are starting. Measure dry matter intake and milk production for at least 3 to 5 days, calculate your current feed efficiency, and compare it to benchmarks for your breed, stage of lactation, and production level. If you do not have a reliable way to measure feed intake, invest in a scale for your mixer wagon and a system for weighing refusals. These are relatively inexpensive investments that pay for themselves quickly through improved feed management. ### Step 2: Work with a Nutritionist A qualified dairy nutritionist can evaluate your ration, feed quality, and feeding management. They can help you formulate a ration that meets your cows' nutrient requirements at the lowest possible cost. They can also help you interpret your feed efficiency data and identify areas for improvement. Choose a nutritionist who is willing to visit your farm regularly, take feed samples, and review your production records. A good nutritionist is a partner in your operation, not just someone who sells you feed. ### Step 3: Optimize Ration Formulation Your nutritionist can help you fine-tune your ration to improve feed efficiency. Key areas to evaluate include: - Energy density. Cows need enough energy to support milk production without excessive body condition loss. Adjust the forage-to-concentrate ratio to match your cows' energy needs. - Protein levels. Excess protein wastes nitrogen and increases feed costs. Work with your nutritionist to match protein supply to cow requirements. - Mineral and vitamin supplementation. Deficiencies in any mineral or vitamin can limit milk production and reduce feed efficiency. - Additives. Certain feed additives, such as yeast cultures, monensin, and buffers, can improve feed efficiency in some herds. Your nutritionist can help you determine if these products are cost-effective for your operation. ### Step 4: Improve Feed Quality Test your forages regularly and adjust your ration based on the results. Corn silage should be harvested at 30 to 35 percent dry matter for optimal fermentation and nutrient preservation. Hay should be harvested at the proper maturity stage and stored to prevent spoilage. Work with your agronomist or crop consultant to improve forage quality in the field. Choose varieties with good digestibility, manage soil fertility, and harvest at the right time. High-quality forage is the foundation of an efficient dairy ration. ### Step 5: Improve Bunk Management Feed delivery and bunk management have a large impact on feed efficiency. Follow these practices: - Deliver feed at the same time each day, ideally twice daily in hot weather. - Push up feed at least 2 to 4 times per day. - Clean out bunks regularly to remove spoiled feed. - Provide adequate bunk space, at least 24 inches per cow for mature Holsteins. - Keep feed fresh by mixing the right amount and not overfeeding. - Monitor refusals and adjust feed delivery to keep refusals at 2 to 4 percent of feed offered. ### Step 6: Monitor Cow Health and Comfort Healthy, comfortable cows are more feed efficient. Work with your veterinarian to develop a herd health program that prevents and treats disease early. Monitor lameness, mastitis, and metabolic disease closely. Provide a clean, dry, comfortable environment. Proper stall design, bedding, ventilation, and cooling systems all contribute to cow comfort and feed efficiency. ### Step 7: Use Genetics to Select for Feed Efficiency If you use artificial insemination or genomic testing, consider including feed efficiency in your selection criteria. Several breed associations now offer feed efficiency evaluations. Select sires that transmit both high production and high feed efficiency. Remember that feed efficiency is only one trait among many. Balance feed efficiency with health, fertility, and longevity to avoid selecting cows that are efficient but difficult to manage. ### Step 8: Track Progress Once you have implemented changes, continue to measure feed efficiency on a monthly basis. Track trends over time and compare your results to your baseline. If feed efficiency improves, your changes are working. If it does not improve, you need to investigate further. Keep detailed records of ration changes, feed purchases, health events, and management changes so you can identify what is driving changes in feed efficiency. ## Common Mistakes in Measuring and Improving Feed Efficiency Many producers make avoidable mistakes when they try to measure or improve feed efficiency. Being aware of these mistakes can help you avoid them. ### Mistake 1: Using Raw Milk Weights Instead of Energy-Corrected Milk Raw milk weights do not account for milk fat and protein. A cow producing 80 pounds of milk at 3.0 percent fat is not as efficient as a cow producing 80 pounds of milk at 4.0 percent fat, even if they eat the same amount of feed. Always use energy-corrected or fat-corrected milk for feed efficiency calculations. ### Mistake 2: Measuring Intake for Only One Day Dry matter intake varies from day to day. A single day of measurement can be misleading. Measure over at least 3 to 5 days and use the average. ### Mistake 3: Not Measuring Feed Refusals If you do not weigh feed refusals, you will overestimate dry matter intake. This makes your feed efficiency look worse than it actually is. More importantly, it means you do not know how much feed your cows are actually eating. ### Mistake 4: Comparing Cows in Different Stages of Lactation Feed efficiency changes across the lactation cycle. Comparing a fresh cow to a late-lactation cow is meaningless. Compare cows within the same stage of lactation or use a benchmark that accounts for days in milk. ### Mistake 5: Ignoring Body Condition Changes Cows that are losing body condition may appear more feed efficient than they really are because they are supplementing their diet with body fat. Cows that are gaining condition may appear less feed efficient. Monitor body condition scores and account for changes when interpreting feed efficiency. ### Mistake 6: Focusing Only on Feed Efficiency Feed efficiency is not the same as profitability. A ration that maximizes feed efficiency may not maximize profit if it relies on expensive ingredients. Always consider the cost of feed and the value of milk when making feeding decisions. ### Mistake 7: Making Too Many Changes at Once If you change the ration, feeding schedule, bunk management, and cow comfort all at the same time, you will not know which change is responsible for any improvement or decline in feed efficiency. Make one change at a time and evaluate the results before making additional changes. ### Mistake 8: Not Involving Your Veterinarian or Nutritionist Feed efficiency problems are often caused by health issues or ration imbalances that require professional diagnosis. Do not try to solve these problems on your own. Involve your veterinarian and nutritionist early in the process. ## Decision Thresholds for Feed Efficiency Knowing when to act on feed efficiency data is important. The following thresholds provide general guidance, but your specific situation may differ. Work with your veterinarian and nutritionist to establish thresholds that make sense for your operation. ### Feed Efficiency Below 1.2 A herd average feed efficiency below 1.2 in mid-lactation cows is a cause for concern. It suggests that cows are not converting feed into milk efficiently. Possible causes include: - Ration imbalance, especially insufficient energy or protein - Poor feed quality or feed spoilage - High levels of subclinical disease, especially subacute ruminal acidosis - Chronic lameness or other pain conditions - Heat stress - Inadequate bunk space or poor bunk management If your herd feed efficiency is below 1.2, work with your nutritionist to evaluate the ration and with your veterinarian to evaluate herd health. ### Feed Efficiency Above 1.8 Feed efficiency above 1.8 in a group of mid-lactation cows may indicate that cows are losing excessive body condition. This is common in early lactation but should not persist into mid-lactation. Monitor body condition scores and work with your nutritionist to increase energy intake if cows are too thin. ### Sudden Drop in Feed Efficiency A sudden drop in feed efficiency of more than 10 percent over a week or two warrants immediate investigation. Check for: - Changes in feed ingredients or feed quality - Mixing errors or ration formulation errors - Health problems affecting multiple cows - Changes in weather or environmental conditions - Problems with water supply ### Feed Efficiency Variation Between Groups If one group of cows has significantly different feed efficiency than another group fed the same ration, investigate the cause. Differences may be due to: - Stage of lactation or parity differences - Health problems in one group - Differences in bunk management or cow comfort - Social dynamics and competition for feed ## Monitoring and Recordkeeping for Feed Efficiency Accurate records are essential for tracking feed efficiency over time. Develop a recordkeeping system that captures the information you need to make management decisions. ### What to Record At a minimum, record the following information for each group of cows: - Date and time of feed delivery - Amount of feed offered, in as-fed pounds - Dry matter percentage of the ration - Amount of feed refused, in as-fed pounds - Number of cows in the group - Total milk production for the group - Milk fat and protein percentage - Average days in milk for the group - Body condition scores, if available - Health events and treatments ### How Often to Record Record feed delivery and refusals daily. Record milk production daily if you have flow meters or use the bulk tank. Record milk components at each DHI test or whenever you sample milk. Calculate feed efficiency monthly using the average of your daily records. ### Using Records to Make Decisions Review your feed efficiency records monthly and look for trends. Compare your current feed efficiency to your baseline and to benchmarks for similar herds. If you see a decline, investigate the cause and take corrective action. Share your records with your nutritionist and veterinarian. They can help you interpret the data and identify problems you might miss. ### Tools for Recordkeeping Many dairy producers use herd management software to track production, reproduction, and health records. These programs can often be configured to track feed efficiency. If you do not use herd management software, a simple spreadsheet can work well. The key is to be consistent. Record the same information in the same way every time. Inconsistent records are worse than no records because they can lead you to the wrong conclusions. ## When to Call a Veterinarian or Extension Agent Feed efficiency problems are often caused by health issues that require veterinary diagnosis and treatment. Contact your veterinarian if you observe any of the following: - A sudden drop in feed intake or milk production affecting multiple cows - Cows showing signs of illness, such as fever, diarrhea, or respiratory distress - Multiple cows with displaced abomasum, ketosis, or milk fever - An increase in lameness or cows reluctant to move - Cows with poor body condition despite adequate feed intake - A high rate of feed sorting or unusual feeding behavior Your veterinarian can perform a herd health investigation, take samples for laboratory testing, and recommend treatment and prevention strategies. Your local cooperative extension agent can also be a valuable resource. Extension agents can help you with feed sampling, ration evaluation, and interpretation of feed efficiency data. They can also connect you with university specialists who conduct research on dairy nutrition and feed efficiency. Do not wait until feed efficiency has dropped significantly before seeking help. Early intervention is more effective and less costly than trying to fix a problem after it has become severe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is a good feed efficiency for dairy cows? A good feed efficiency for mid-lactation Holstein cows is 1.4 to 1.6 pounds of energy-corrected milk per pound of dry matter intake. Jerseys and other smaller breeds may have slightly lower feed efficiency on a pounds of milk basis but higher efficiency when adjusted for body weight. First-lactation heifers typically have lower feed efficiency than mature cows. Early lactation cows may have feed efficiency above 2.0 because they are mobilizing body fat, but this is not sustainable. ### How do I calculate feed conversion ratio for dairy cows? Feed conversion ratio is the pounds of dry matter intake divided by the pounds of milk produced. For example, if a cow eats 55 pounds of dry matter and produces 90 pounds of energy-corrected milk, her feed conversion ratio is 0.61. Lower feed conversion ratios indicate better efficiency because less feed is required per pound of milk. ### What is the difference between feed efficiency and feed conversion ratio? Feed efficiency is the amount of milk produced per unit of feed consumed, expressed as pounds of milk per pound of dry matter. Feed conversion ratio is the inverse: the amount of feed required per unit of milk produced. Both measure the same relationship but are expressed differently. Feed efficiency is more common in dairy nutrition, while feed conversion ratio is more common in beef production and economic analysis. ### How can I improve feed efficiency in my dairy herd without buying expensive equipment? You can improve feed efficiency with good management practices that require minimal investment. Weigh feed offered and refused to get accurate dry matter intake data. Push up feed more frequently to encourage intake. Clean bunks regularly to keep feed fresh. Provide adequate bunk space and fresh water. Work with your nutritionist to balance the ration and improve feed quality. These practices do not require expensive equipment and can improve feed efficiency by 5 to 10 percent or more. ### Does cow genetics affect feed efficiency? Yes, feed efficiency is moderately heritable, meaning you can improve it through genetic selection. Several breed associations now offer feed efficiency evaluations for sires. However, feed efficiency is only one trait among many. Select for a balanced package of production, health, fertility, and efficiency rather than feed efficiency alone. ### How often should I measure feed efficiency? For most farms, a monthly feed efficiency check is adequate. Measure dry matter intake and milk production over at least 3 to 5 days and calculate the average. If you suspect a problem or after making a major ration change, run a more intensive measurement over a week or two. ### Why is my herd feed efficiency lower than the breed average? Several factors can cause feed efficiency to be below breed average. These include stage of lactation, parity, ration formulation, feed quality, bunk management, cow health, and cow comfort. Work with your nutritionist to evaluate the ration and with your veterinarian to evaluate herd health. Also check for feed sorting, inadequate bunk space, and heat stress. ### Can feed efficiency be too high? Yes, feed efficiency can be too high if cows are losing excessive body condition. A cow that produces 100 pounds of milk while eating only 45 pounds of dry matter has a feed efficiency of 2.2, but she is mobilizing body fat to support production. This is normal in early lactation but can lead to metabolic disease if it persists. Monitor body condition scores and adjust the ration if cows are losing too much condition. ## Related Farming Guides This section will be populated with links to related farming guides from the library. Check back for updates on dairy nutrition, herd health, and feed management topics. ## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides * [Evaluating Feed Additives for Dairy Cow Performance](/knowledge/animal-farming/dairy-cattle/evaluating-feed-additives-for-dairy-cow-performance) * [Dairy Barn Fire Safety: Design and Prevention Measures](/knowledge/animal-farming/dairy-cattle/dairy-barn-fire-safety-design-prevention) * [Dairy Cow Pregnancy Loss Records and Review](/knowledge/animal-farming/dairy-cattle/dairy-cow-pregnancy-loss-records-and-review) ## References - National Mastitis Council: https://www.nmconline.org/ - USDA APHIS Dairy Cattle Health: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle - FAO Dairy Production and Products: https://www.fao.org/dairy-production-products/en/ - FAO Animal Production and Health: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ - WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health): https://www.woah.org/en/home/ > This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.