Feed efficiency is a measure of a cow’s ability to convert feed at the bunk into milk in the tank. Because feed represents the largest operating cost on most dairy farms, even small improvements in efficiency can have an impact on profitability. Beyond cost, how efficiently feed is utilized also influences milk production, cow health and overall herd performance.
Feed efficiency is not driven by one factor alone but can be influenced by feed quality, consistency, feeding practices, cow management and genetics. Producers have multiple tools available to make improvements, including optimizing forage quality, using a feed management software to improve accuracy and consistency, and incorporating genetics for breeding more feed-efficient cows.
Improve feed quality
It is no secret that forage quality has a tremendous impact on the quality of an overall ration. Although we must work with the weather, much of what determines the quality of forages is influenced by decisions made by the producer. Timing of harvest, chop length, moisture and bunk management can greatly impact the quality of forages. Not only is poor-quality forage less nutrient-dense, but it also often lowers the dry matter intake and thus impacts feed efficiency.
A properly balanced ration that meets the needs of your production goals is another piece of the puzzle. These rations should be updated regularly as forages and herd demographics change.
Use a feeding management software
Using a feed management software can play an important role in improving feed efficiency by helping producers measure, control and optimize how feed is delivered and consumed in real time.
Improve ration accuracy
Recipes can be entered to direct the feed personnel on what ingredient to add to the mixer and at what quantity using an app. Adjusting the ration for changes in the moisture of an ingredient is easy with automatic updates to the quantity for each recipe. This helps to reduce under- and overfeeding ingredients and ensures the ration balanced by your feed adviser is what is being fed to the cows. In fact, studies have shown the more a total mixed ration (TMR) mix varies from the intended ration, the greater the negative impact on production.
Reduce feed waste
Some feeding software can also be connected to your herd management software, allowing pen counts to be automatically updated so the size of the batch is correct every time. However, sometimes, even when a mix is prepared for the correct number of animals, there are refusals. By recording these weighbacks, producers can better estimate actual dry matter intake and decide whether to rebalance the ration to encourage higher intakes or reduce batch size to minimize waste, directly improving feed efficiency at the herd level.
Real-time insights
Moreover, by linking your feed management software to milk production data, it allows you to evaluate if certain ration changes are producing the expected results and quickly adjust if necessary. If your advisers are connected online, they can also monitor changes more quickly rather than waiting until their next visit to the farm. By entering feed prices, you can easily calculate a return over feed cost, so you can compare the feed efficiency of your current and past rations and to industry benchmarks.
At the end of the day, using a feed management software makes it easier to follow recipes accurately to maximize efficiency. Knowing that the accuracy of feedings is monitored and understanding its importance, encourages farmers and staff to be more diligent. These tools also allow farmers and advisers to track feedings, monitor intakes and make adjustments when needed.
Genetics
Genetics is another key factor influencing how efficiently cows convert feed to milk, directly affecting feed costs. The Canadian genetic evaluation for Feed Efficiency was introduced in 2021 and has continued to improve through feed intake data collection from research projects and partnerships, strengthening accuracy and reliability over time. Today, the system includes more than 374,000 records on 13,720 cows from research and commercial herds, including Sunalta Farm in Ponoka, Alberta, equipped with 100 feed intake monitoring bins.
The genomic evaluation for Feed Efficiency considers dry matter intake for first- and second-lactation cows while accounting for energy-corrected milk and metabolic bodyweight (animal’s measured bodyweight to the power of ¾ (BW0.75), representing the amount of metabolically active tissue in the body). The goal is to identify and select animals that use less feed at the same level of production and body size after peak lactation. Feed Efficiency is expressed as a Relative Breeding Value (RBV), with an average of 100 and a standard deviation of 5. Values generally range from 85 to 115, with higher sire RBVs indicating daughters that are expected to be more efficient feed converters. For every 5-point increase in sire RBV, daughters are expected to reduce their total dry matter intake by 88.5 kilograms per lactation after 60 days in milk.
Feed Efficiency is also incorporated into the national selection indexes, Lifetime Performance Index (LPI) and Pro$, ensuring steady genetic progress for this economically important trait. Over time, selecting for higher Feed Efficiency allows the most efficient animals to contribute to the next generation, gradually reducing feed costs at the herd level. This genetic progress is cumulative, meaning the benefits build year after year, improving margins and resilience to fluctuating feed prices while maintaining high levels of milk production.
Use tools available to improve feed efficiency
Feed is important and has a major impact on profitability, but with the right tools and management, you can get the most out of it. The quality of ingredients and how precisely a well-balanced diet is followed has a significant effect on production, reproduction and general health. Using a tool such as a feeding software will show immediate results for feed efficiency, whereas breeding decisions will have an influence over a longer period. To maximize your feed efficiency, using a combination of tools and strategies is your best bet.
