How to Calculate Daily Livestock Silage Requirements
Daily livestock silage requirements depend on several factors, as consumption varies significantly depending on factors like breed, weight, production stage (e.g., lactation), and forage quality.
Livestock typically consume between 2% and 3.5% of their body weight in DM daily. For example, if a cow weighs 500 Kg, and they consume 2.5% of their body weight in forage daily, their DM intake per head per day would be 12.5 Kg, although this doesn’t account for meals or other feeds being offered, which would lower their daily silage requirements.
Nb. The quality of forage can affect the amount of DM intake, as higher quality forage with more nutrients can lead to lower overall DM intake percentages as the nutritional needs of the livestock are met more efficiently.
Our tools below are to help you easily calculate daily livestock silage requirements on your farm.
- Calculate the Dry Matter Intake Required Per Head Per Day >
- Calculate DM Intake Based on Forage Fresh Weight >
- Calculate Total Silage Required >
Calculate DM Intake Required Per Head Per Day >
This calculator below estimates the daily DM (Dry Matter) intake required per head per day by simply inputting the average weight of the livestock and their daily DM Intake as a % of bodyweight. Their Kg/DM Required Per Day is outputted in the third column.
Calculate DM Required Per Day >
This calculator estimates the required Dry Matter intake per head.
| Enter Average Weight of Livestock (Kg): | Enter Average Daily DM Intake (% of bodyweight): | Kg/DM Required Per Head Per Day: |
|---|---|---|
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Calculate DM Per Day To Fresh Weight >
This calculator estimates the required forage fresh weight (Kg) required per head per day based on the animal’s average daily Dry Matter % intake. Use the first calculator above to calculate the estimated DM intake per day and the Dry Matter% % of the silage to output an approximate daily fresh weight intake.
Calculate DM Intake Based On Forage Fresh Weight >
This calculator estimates the required Fresh forage intake per head per day.
| Kg/DM Required Per Head Per Day: | Silage Dry Matter (DM%): | Total Fresh Weight Required Per Day (Kg) |
|---|---|---|
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Calculate Total Silage Required >
This calculator will estimate the total silage required for a winter period based on the average weight of the animal, DM intake, and the Dry Matter of the silage being offered. An estimate of the number of winter housing days and expected forage yield/ha can be provided to approximate the total forage and land requirements for the livestock group.
Silage Required Calculator >
This calculator estimates the required winter silage/forage required.
| Calculate Winter Forage Required: | |
|---|---|
| Total Livestock Head: | |
| Average Livestock Weight (Kg/animal): | |
| % of Dry Matter Intake Per Day (Kg/DM per day - % of bodyweight): | |
| Daily Kg/DM/ per day per head: | |
| Daily Total Kg/DM/ per day: | |
| Silage Dry Matter (DM%): | |
| Forage DM to Fresh Weight (DM to Kgs): | |
| Forage Fresh Weight Per Head Per Day (Kgs): | |
| Total Forage Fresh Weight Per Day (Kgs): | |
| No of Days Winter Housing (Days): | |
| Total Silage Required For Winter Housing (Tons): | |
| Expected Forage Yield Per Ha (Fresh Weight t/ha): | |
| Total Ha Required (Expected yield / Total Silage Required): | |
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Guide to Typical Dry Matter (% of Bodyweight) Requirements per Day for Livestock >
Livestock require varying percentages of their body weight (BW) in dry matter (DM) daily, depending on species, production stage, and forage quality. Below is a breakdown based on industry standards and research:
- Dairy Cows:
- Lactating cows: 2.5%–3.0% of BW in DM.
- Dry Cows (pre-calving): 2.5%–3.0% of BW in DM.
- Mid-lactation cows: ~1.7%–2.5% of BW in DM, depending on milk yield.
- Beef Cattle:
- Non-lactating cows: 2.0%–2.5% of BW in DM daily.
- Finishing cattle: 2.2%–2.7% of BW in DM during peak growth phases.
- Growing calves: Up to 3.0% of BW in DM to support rapid development
- Sheep:
- Adult ewes (non-lactating): 2.0%–2.5% of BW in DM.
- Lactating ewes: 3.0%–3.5% of BW in DM to meet milk production demands.
- Growing lambs: 3.0%–3.5% of BW in DM for optimal weight gain.
Key Factors Influencing DM Intake >
High-energy silage (e.g., high-quality silage /maize silage) allows lower DM intake (1.5%–2.5% of BW) due to nutrient density.
Low-quality forage (e.g., mature grass) may require higher intake (up to 3.5% of BW) to meet energy needs.
Lactating or growing animals need 10%–20% more DM than maintenance requirements.
Cold weather increases energy demands, raising DM intake by ~0.5% of BW.
Example: A 600 kg lactating dairy cow needs 15–18 kg DM/day (2.5%–3.0% of BW).
A 50 kg growing lamb requires 1.5–1.75 kg DM/day (3.0%–3.5% of BW).