First, Know What “High-Producing” Means
Not every cow is the same.
A cow producing:
• 5-8 litres/day → low to moderate producer
• 10-15 litres/day → good producer
• 15+ litres/day → high producer
High-producing cows need special attention. Feeding them like ordinary cows is one of the biggest mistakes farmers make.
The Silent Rule: Production Follows Intake
A high-producing cow must eat more, and eat better.
If feed is limited:
• Milk drops
• Body condition reduces
• Fertility problems begin
These cows are not just maintaining their bodies, they are producing large amounts of milk daily.
Build the Diet From the Ground Up
Before thinking about concentrates, start with the foundation:
1. Strong Forage Base
This is where most farmers go wrong.
High producers need:
• 10-15 kg of good maize silage, OR
• High-quality hay + fresh grass combination
Low-quality or insufficient forage will limit milk — no matter how much concentrate you add.
Then Add Concentrates… Carefully
Here is where feeding becomes more precise.
A simple guide:
1 kg of dairy meal for every 2-3 litres of milk
So a cow producing 18 litres may need:
• 6-8 kg of dairy meal per day
But don’t dump it all at once.
Better approach:
• Divide into 2–3 feedings (morning, midday, evening)
• Feed during or after milking
This improves digestion and reduces waste.
Protein: The Hidden Driver of Milk
Sometimes a cow eats plenty but still underperforms.
Why?
Protein is missing.
High-producing cows need more protein than ordinary cows.
Good options:
• Calliandra
• Desmodium
• Lucerne (alfalfa)
• Legume hays
Adding protein often leads to a visible increase in milk within days.
Water: The Fastest Way to Lose Milk
You can do everything right, and still fail here.
High-producing cows drink a lot:
• 80-100 litres of water per day (or more in hot weather)
If water is:
• Dirty
• Limited
• Far away
Milk drops almost immediately.
Feed More Often, Not Just More Feed
Here’s something many farmers overlook:
High-producing cows do better when feed is available throughout the day, not just in large amounts once or twice.
Think of it this way:
• A cow that eats continuously produces continuously
• A cow that stays hungry for hours produces less
Keep feed in front of cows as much as possible, especially at night.
Watch the Cow, Not Just the Bucket
The cow will always tell you if feeding is correct.
Good signs:
• Steady or increasing milk
• Smooth, shiny body condition
• Active and alert behavior
Warning signs:
• Sudden drop in milk
• Visible weight loss
• Feed left untouched
Adjust feeding based on what you see, not just what you planned.
One More Thing Farmers Rarely Consider
High production is demanding.
If feeding is not sufficient, the cow will:
Use its own body reserves to produce milk
This may work for a short time, but eventually leads to:
• Weak cows
• Fertility problems
• Lower lifetime productivity
Good feeding protects both milk today and the cow’s future.
The Bottom Line
High-producing cows are valuable, but only if they are fed correctly.
To get maximum milk:
• Start with high-quality forage
• Add concentrates based on production
• Include protein-rich feeds
• Provide plenty of clean water
• Keep feed available throughout the day
When feeding matches production level, results improve quickly.
📞 Take Action
High-producing cows need consistent, high-quality feed every day.
Radiant Farm Uganda Limited supplies premium hay and maize silage to help farmers maintain strong feeding programs for maximum milk production.
Contact Radiant Farm today and keep your cows productive in every season by ordering forage from our website (click here) or from the nearby authorised dealer (click here to find out more)
🐄🌾😉 Call / WhatsApp to confirm your Hay or Maize silage ORDER NOW!
📲📞 +256 790 810 337
📲📞 +256 702 350 821
📲 📞+256 702 760 564
📩 Email: kampala@radiantfarmug.com
📍 Farm Location: Plot 5 Kitotolo Road, Nsangabwami Kikandwa, Mityana - Uganda.
By Oliver Namirimu,
The Manager - Production and Operations at Radiant Farm, specializing in sustainable farming practices and animal nutrition.
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