Carbohydrates are integral to the diet of lactating dairy cows, providing the energy necessary for milk production and overall health. Balancing NFC and fiber carbohydrates, along with proper ration formulation and monitoring, can maximize the benefits of carbohydrates in the diet.

In feed analysis, we often simply look at water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and ethanol-soluble carbohydrates (ESC) to evaluate sugar content. Within these categories there are multiple carbohydrates and types of sugars, just like there are many different types of nails or screws.