Calculate milk yield per cow, milk production per hectare, daily revenue, and feed cost efficiency for your dairy herd.
This calculator measures dairy farm productivity: milk per cow per day, milk output per grazing hectare, daily and annual revenue from milk sales, and the feed cost-to-revenue ratio. Essential for monitoring dairy profitability.
A 50-cow dairy producing 1,250 L/day at $0.45/L earns $563/day. With $6.50/head/day feed cost ($325 total), feed ratio is 57.7% of revenue. At $7.00/head feed cost, the ratio jumps to 62.2% — squeezing profit by $25/day.
✓ Expert Reviewed: This calculator and its content have been reviewed by agricultural experts. Formulas are based on NRC, FAO, and university extension recommendations. For site-specific advice, consult your local agronomist or veterinarian.
Enter number of lactating cows, total daily milk production in liters, grazing area in hectares, milk price per liter, and daily feed cost per head. Click Calculate.
The Dairy Milk Calculator helps dairy producers monitor yield and profitability. Milk per cow and feed cost ratio are the primary KPIs. NRC guidelines specify nutrient requirements for lactating dairy cows by production level.
Yield/head = total milk ÷ cows. Milk/ha = total milk ÷ area. Revenue = milk × price. Feed ratio = (cows × feed/head) ÷ revenue × 100. Typical ranges: 25-40 L/cow/day, feed ratio 45-60% of revenue.
50 cows × 25 L/cow = 1,250 L/day. Revenue = 1,250 × $0.45 = $562.50. Annual = $205,313. Feed = 50 × $6.50 = $325/day. Ratio = 57.8%. Target feed ratio <55% for good margins.
Common mistakes: including dry cows in lactating count, using fat-corrected vs raw milk incorrectly, mixing local and bulk milk prices. Tip: use 30-day rolling averages. NRC recommends DMI at 3.5% of BW for lactating cows.
Average dairy cows produce 25-35 L/day (6.6-9.2 gal). High-production Holsteins can reach 40-50 L/day during peak. Production peaks at 4-8 weeks post-calving and declines ~5-8% monthly. NRC requires adjusting nutrition for different lactation stages.
Feed typically represents 45-60% of milk revenue. Below 50% is excellent; above 65% indicates margin squeeze. Total feed cost per cow per day ranges $5-12 depending on production level and ration. NRC nutrient requirements drive ration cost optimization.
Stocking rate depends on forage growth. In temperate climates, 1-2 cows per hectare for rotational grazing on good pasture. Drylot operations can support higher numbers with harvested feed. Use the pasture growth calculator to estimate carrying capacity.
Peak lactation occurs at 4-8 weeks post-calving. Milk production then declines ~5-8% per month until dry-off at ~305 days. First-calf heifers peak at lower levels (~80% of mature cows). Nutrition must be adjusted at each stage per NRC guidelines.
Key strategies: optimize genetics (select high-production bulls), proper transition cow management, balanced ration meeting NRC requirements, forage testing before formulating rations, heat abatement (cooling reduces heat stress losses 10-20%), regular breeding management, and culling low producers. Milk price + yield − feed cost = margin.