Feed Tables - Ruminants

On this page you can find the equations for calculating feed values for ruminant feeds and feeding recommendations. The Feed Table is a list of typical compositional and feed value data for commonly used feeds, i.e., a list of the so-called reference feeds.

In the planning of feeding of ruminants, Feed Table values may generally be used for common concentrates (e.g. cereal grains). However, the composition of forages vary widely depending on the cultivation, harvesting and preservation techniques applied and prevailing weather conditions. Due to the high proportion of forage in ruminant diets, the analysis of different forage batches used for feeding is of paramount importance.

If the composition of a feed batch has been analysed, feed values can be calculated using the equations described in Basis of calculation and the digestibility coefficients of the reference feed, but using the compositional data of the feed batch concerned in the equations.

Official equations for the calculation of feed values have been defined for different animal species. Compositional data required for calculating the feed values are obtained from feed analysis results, or optionally the reference values presented in Feed Tables can be used. In both cases, the digestibility coefficients from Feed Tables are used.

Calculation of the feed values

Nutrient requirements of ruminants include recommendations for daily amounts of energy, protein, mineral and trace elements, as well as vitamins for dairy cows, suckler cows, growing cattle, sheep and dairy goats.

An example of energy requirement for a cow that weighs 650 kg and produces 40 kg energy corrected milk (ECM) per day:
Energy requirement (MJ ME/day) = 650^0.75kg × 0.65 MJ/kg + 5.0 MJ/kg ECM × 40 kg ECM/day = 281 MJ ME/day

An example of energy requirement for a cow that weighs 550 kg and produces 20 kg energy corrected milk (ECM) per day:
Energy requirement (MJ ME/day) = 550^0.75 kg × 0.65 + 5.0 MJ/kg ECM × 20 kg ECM/pv = 172 MJ ME/day

The effects of housing type, grazing or temperature are not taken into account in energy requirements of dairy cows.

Correction equation for energy intake

The feed evaluation system uses constant feed values irrespective of the feeding situation. The feeds do however have important associative effects, which can be taken into account by using correction equations. The following correction equation is based on extensive metabolic chamber data and the equation has been updated in February 2026 (Huhtanen et al. 2026). Compared to the previous equation, the new one takes into account the reducing effect of methane and urine energy for the correction term. The correction term is subtracted from the calculated feed ration ME content from the feed values.

Corrected ME-intake (MJ/day) = Uncorrected ME-intake (MJ/pv) – (-34,5 + 4,94 × MEm + 1,59 × DMI – 0,43 × CP + 0,0011× CP² – 0.6 × DMI)

DMI = Dry matter intake, kg/day
MEm = Uncorrected ME concentration of the diet, MJ/kg DM
CP = Crude protein concentration of the diet, g/kg DM

The correction equation indicates that ME intake is reduced, when:

• Dry matter intake increases
• Diet has a high energy value
• Diet has a low crude protein concentration (the effect is curvilinear so that the benefits from increased crude protein concentration become smaller at higher concentrations)

In some cases (particularly for dry cows with low feed intake energy concentration in the diet), the correction term produces negative values. Negative correction is not taken into account. 

The energy corrected milk (ECM) yield can be calculated according to Sjaunja et al. (1990) based on milk yield and milk fat, protein and lactose concentrations (g/kg):
ECM (kg) = Milk production (kg) × (38.3 × fat + 24.2 × protein + 16.54 × lactose + 20.7) / 3140

If lactose concentration has not been determined, the following equation can be used:
ECM (kg) = Milk production (kg) × (38.3 × fat + 24.2 × protein + 783.2) / 3140

An example of MP requirements for a dairy cow, that weighs 650 kg, consumes 25.3 kg DM/day, produces 40 kg energy corrected milk (ECM) and 1240 g milk protein per day:
MP requirement (g/day) = 1.8 × 650^0.75 + 14 × 25.3 kg DM/day + (1.47 – 0.0017 × 40 kg ECM/day) × 1240 g milk protein/day = 2324 g MP/day

An example of MP requirements for a dairy cow, that weighs 550 kg, consumes 14.9 kg DM/day, produces 20 kg energy corrected milk (ECM) and 620 g milk protein per day:
MP requirement (g/day) = 1.8 × 550^0.75 + 14 × 14.9 kg DM/day + (1.47 – 0.0017 × 20 kg ECM/day) × 620 g milk protein/day = 1303 g MP/day

If the dry matter intake of the cow is not known, it can roughly be estimated using the energy requirement and an average diet energy concentration (i.e. 11.5 MJ ME/kg DM). This method assumes that the cow is in energy balance (not using or building body energy reserves).

Example: A cow weighs 650 kg and produces 30 kg ECM/day, so that her energy requirement is 221 MJ ME/day.
Dry matter intake (kg/day) = 221 MJ ME/day / 11.5 MJ ME/kg DM = 19.2 kg DM/day

Protein balance in the rumen (PBV)

The rumen is in protein balance when the average diet PBV value is close to zero. In ration formulation, negative diet PBV values should not be accepted for dairy cows. The adequacy of nitrogen for rumen microbes can also be judged from milk urea concentration, which should be over 17-18 mg/dl.

The energy and protein requirements of suckler cows are based on the needs for maintenance of body functions, milk production, pregnancy and changes in live weight (condition score). Feeding recommendations for suckler cows are mainly based on those for dairy cows.

The energy and protein requirements of dairy cows are calculated using energy corrected milk yields. For suckler cows, the calculation of energy corrected milk yields is unnecessary due to many uncertainties. It is most practical to use the estimated milk yield as the basis for the calculation. The average milk protein content of 31 g/kg milk from Finnish studies can be used to calculate protein yields for suckler cows (Manninen 2007).

Example:  An example of maintenance energy requirement for a suckler cow that weighs 700 kg and is in a body condition score 3.0. No conditioning requirement: :

Energy requirement (MJ ME/day) = 700^0,75kg × 0,515 MJ/kg = 70 MJ/day

Effect of body condition score on energy requirements

The weight of one condition score unit is 45-60 kg. The weight of condition score unit and the amount of energy vary by the animal breed type and size. Body condition score change can be calculated by using live weight change if known how many kilograms increasing/decreasing the condition score requires.

Example: A suckler cow weighs 700 kg and is in a body condition score 2.0. The conditioning requirement is one condition score unit (2.0 ->3.0). 

Increasing the condition score 2.0 →2.5:

Energy requirement (MJ ME/day) = 700^0,75kg × 0.515 MJ/kg × 1,19 = 83 MJ/day

Increasing the condition score 2.5 →3.0:

Energy requirement (MJ ME/day) = 700^0,75kg × 0.515 MJ/kg × 1,09 = 76 MJ/day

 
Example: A suckler cow weighs 700 kg and is in a body condition score 4.0.
Decreasing the condition score 4.0 → 3.5:

Energy requirement (MJ ME/d) = 700^0,75kg × 0.515 MJ/kg × 0,84 = 59 MJ/day

Improving the condition score should be done before the last two months of pregnancy.

Effect of pregnancy on energy requirements

Example: An example of energy requirement during the last two months of pregnancy for a suckler cow
that weighs 700 kg and is in a body condition score 3.0.

8^th pregnancy month:

Energy requirement (MJ ME/day) = 700^0,75kg × 0.515 MJ/kg + 19 = 89 MJ/day

9^th pregnancy month:

Energy requirement (MJ ME/d) = 700^0,75kg × 0.515 MJ/kg + 34 = 104

Example: An example of energy requirement during the lactation period for a  suckler cow of Hereford breed that weighs 700 kg and is in a body condition score 3.0. Moderate milk production. No conditioning requirement:

Energy requirement (MJ/day) = (700^0.75kg × 0.515 MJ/kg) + (5.15 MJ/kg × 8 kg/day) = 111 MJ/day

Example: An example of energy requirement during the lactation period for a  suckler cow of Simmental breed that weighs 850 kg and is in a body condition score 3.0. Very high milk production. No conditioning requirement:

Energy requirement (MJ/day) = (850^0.75kg × 0.515 MJ/kg) + (5.15 MJ/kg × 14 kg/day) = 153 MJ/day

Example: An example of energy requirement during the lactation period for a  suckler cow of Hereford breed that weighs 700 kg and is in a body condition score 2.5. Moderate milk production. Conditioning requirement: 0.5 condition score:

Energy requirement (MJ/day) = (700^0.75kg × 0.515 MJ/kg × 1.09) + (5.15 MJ/kg × 8 kg/day) = 118 MJ/day

Example: An example of energy requirement during the lactation period for a  suckler cow of Simmental breed that weighs 850 kg and is in a body condition score 2.0. Very high milk production. Conditioning requirement: one condition score:

Increasing the condition score 2.0 → 2.5:

Energy requirement (MJ/day) = (850^0.75 × 0.515 MJ/kg × 1.19) + (5.15 MJ/kg × 14 kg/day) = 169 MJ/day

Increasing the condition score 2.5 → 3.0:

Energy requirement (MJ/day) = (850^0.75 × 0.515 MJ/kg × 1.09) + (5.15 MJ/kg × 14 kg/day) = 161 MJ/day

Metabolizable protein (MP) requirement of suckler cows

Protein balance in the rumen (PBV) recommendation

The rumen is in protein balance when the average diet PBV value is close to zero.  During the maintenance period the PBV value can be -20 g/kg dry matter intake. During the lactation period the PBV value should not be negative.

Dry matter intake of suckler cows

If the dry matter intake of the suckler cow is not known, it can be roughly estimated using the body weight and forage digestibility (D-value) when the suckler cows are fed ad libitum.

Examples for calculating dry matter intake of suckler cows

Example: Maintenance period, body weight 700 kg, forage D-value 630 g/kg DM.

Dry matter intake (kg DM/day) = 700 kg × 0.022 = 15.4 kg DM/day

EXample: Lactation period, body weight 700 kg, forage D-value 650 g/kg DM.

Dry matter intake (kg DM/day) = 700 kg × 0.025 = 17.5 kg DM/day
 

Effect of pregnancy to intake

During the last month of pregnancy dry matter intake decreases 0.2 percent of body weight when forage D-value is over 600 g/kg DM.

Example: Dry matter intake during the last month of pregnancy. Body weight 700 kg. Forage D-value 630 g/kg DM.

Dry matter intake (kg DM/day) = 700 kg × (0.022-0.002) = 14 kg DM/day

During the last month of pregnancy dry matter intake decreases 1.2 percent of body weight when forage D-value is below 600 g/kg DM.

Example: Dry matter intake during the last month of pregnancy. Body weight 700 kg. Forage D-value less than 600 g/kg DM.

Dry matter intake (kg DM/day) = 700 kg × 0.012 = 8.4 kg DM/day

Effect of breed type

Dry matter intake of Limousin and Blonde d’Aquitaine suckler cows is 2.0 kg DM/day less during the maintenance period and 1.7 kg DM/day less during the lactation period compared to other breeds.

Example: Dry matter intake of a Limousin suckler cow during the maintenance period. Body weight 800 kg. Forage D-value 630 g/kg DM.

Dry matter intake (kg DM/day) = 800 kg × 0.022 – 2 = 15.6 kg DM/day
 

Effect of body condition score

If body condition score is below 3.0 dry matter intake increases 10 %.

 Example 4: Dry matter intake during the maintenance period. Body weight 700 kg. Body condition score 2.0. Forage D-value 630 g/kg DM.

Dry matter intake (kg DM/day) = 700 kg × 0.022 × 1.1 = 16.9 kg DM/day

If body condition score is over 4.0 dry matter intake decreases 10 %.

Example 5: Dry matter intake during the maintenance period. Body weight 700 kg. Body condition score 4.0. Forage D-value 630 g/kg DM.

Dry matter intake (kg DM/day) = 700 × 0.022 x 0.9 = 13.9 kg DM/day

Model calculations for MP requirements during different production periods

Maintenance period

Body weight 700 kg. Body condition score 3.0. Forage D-value 600 g/kg DM. Ad libitum feeding.

MP requirement (g/day) = 1.8 × 700^0.75kg + 14 × (700 kg × 0.018) = 421 g/day

Pregnancy

Body weight 700 kg. Body condition score 3.0. Forage D-value 630 g/kg DM. 9th pregnancy month. Ad libitum feeding.

MP requirement (g/day) = 1.8 × 700^0.75kg + 14 × (700 kg × ((0.022–0.02))+205 = 646 g/day

Lactation period

Body weight 700 kg. Body condition score 3.0. Moderate milk production, 8 kg/day. Forage D-value 650 g/kg DM. Ad libitum feeding.

MP requirement (g/day) = 1.8 × 700^0.75kg + 14 × (700 kg × 0.025) + (1.47 – 0.0017 × 8 ) × (8 × 31) = 851 g/day

Growing heifers 

Energy requirements for growing heifers are calculated on the basis of live weight and daily growth rate. The pregnancy addition is calculated in the same way than for lactating cows (tables 1 and 2).

Protein requirements of growing cattle

The metabolizable protein (MP) requirements are presented only for cattle under 200 kg live weight. For animals over 200 kg, the protein intake is adequate if the protein balance in the rumen (PBV) of the total diet is not lower than -10 g per kg DM. If an animal eats 8 kg DM per day, the daily dietary PBV value may thus be -80 g/day. The microbial protein synthesized in the rumen and the by-pass protein of the feeds provide enough amino acids for the needs of growing cattle.

The mineral recommendations for cows and young cattle are generally based on a Nordic collaborative review (NJF 1975). Feeding recommendations for phosphorus in dairy cows have been reduced in the 2000s.

Mineral requirements of dairy cows

Copper (Cu). Pregnant ewes require approximately 5 mg of copper in kg feed (DM 880 g/kg). Toxicity level is 25 mg/kg. Copper toxicity can occur even at levels of 10-20 mg/kg if simultaneously the feed molybdenum (Mo) concentration is low. The Cu : Mo ratio should be between 4 : 1 and 10 : 1. Meat breeds (e.g. Texel) are more susceptible to copper poisoning than Finnsheep breed. 
Selenium (Se). The Se requirement of sheep is approximately 0.1 – 0.2 mg/kg feed (DM 880 g/kg). If the Se concentration is below 0.1 mg/kg, the sheep will suffer from muscle dystrophy. The toxicity level of Se is 2 mg/kg. 
Magnesium (Mg). A sufficient amount of Mg for sheep is 1.5 g/day. In the beginning of grazing season, additional Mg is given to prevent grass tetany. The toxicity level of Mg is 8 g/day.

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