The Simple Answer (Before We Complicate It)
For most dairy cows:
25-40 kg of maize silage per cow per day is a good working range.
But that’s not the full story.
Some cows need less.
Others need much more.
Why the Range Is So Wide
Because cows are not the same.
Silage intake depends on:
• Body size
• Milk production level
• Stage of lactation
• Quality of silage
For example:
• A small cow (300-400 kg) → may eat 15-20 kg/day
• A medium cow (400-500 kg) → around 20-25 kg/day
• A large, high-producing cow (500 kg+) → up to 30 kg or more/day
So the real question is not just how much, but which cow are you feeding?
A More Accurate Way to Think About It
Instead of guessing, use this idea:
A cow can eat about 3% of its body weight in feed (dry matter) daily.
Since silage contains a lot of water, this translates to:
• Roughly 20-30 kg of silage per day for an average dairy cow
• Higher for peak milk production
This is why high-producing cows seem “always hungry”, they actually are.
The Mistake That Reduces Milk
Here’s what happens on many farms:
• Silage is given once
• It finishes quickly
• The cow stays hungry for hours
Result:
• Reduced intake
• Reduced energy
• Reduced milk
Even if you fed “enough” in total, timing and availability matter just as much as quantity.
A Better Way to Feed Silage
Instead of asking “How much per day?”, ask:
“Is there always some feed left in the morning?”
If yes → you are feeding enough
If no → you are underfeeding
Top farmers don’t measure perfectly, they observe intake patterns.
When to Increase Silage
Increase silage if you notice:
• Milk not improving despite concentrates
• Cows finishing feed too quickly
• Visible weight loss
• Restlessness around feeding time
These are signs the cow needs more energy, not just more concentrates.
When to Reduce Silage (Rare, But Possible)
Yes, it can happen.
If a cow:
• Gains too much weight
• Produces less milk than expected
• Is late in lactation
You may slightly reduce silage and balance with other forages.
But in most Ugandan farms, the problem is too little silage, not too much.
One Important Insight
Studies have shown that adding maize silage to diets can significantly improve milk production, in some cases increasing yields by up to 50% when properly balanced.
Why?
Because silage increases total feed intake and energy supply, the two biggest drivers of milk.
Don’t Feed Silage Alone
Silage is powerful, but incomplete.
It must be combined with:
• Protein sources (like calliandra or dairy meal)
• Minerals
• Clean water
Balance is what turns silage into milk.
The Bottom Line
For most dairy farmers:
• Aim for 20-30 kg of silage per cow per day
• High producers may need up to 30-40 kg
• Always adjust based on cow size and milk output
But more importantly:
Feed to appetite, not just to measurement.
Because a cow that eats more, produces more.
📞 Take Action
🐄🌽Getting silage quantity right is the difference between average milk and maximum milk.
Radiant Farm Uganda Limited provides high-quality maize silage and hay to help farmers feed confidently and maintain strong milk production throughout the dry season.
Contact Radiant Farm today and feed your cows the right way, every day 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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