Estimate how much feed your livestock need. This free livestock feed calculator turns body weight and intake % into daily, herd and total feed across a feeding period, with optional cost.
This estimates feed quantities from body weight and a daily intake percentage. Real needs depend on species, age, breed, production stage (growth, lactation, work) and feed quality. Use this as a planning guide and follow a nutritionist or vet for a balanced ration.
The animals
kg
% BW
$/ kg
Choose the animal (it sets a typical daily intake as a % of body weight), then enter weight, herd size and days. Intake here is on a dry-matter basis — adjust the % for your situation.
Total feed needed
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Enter the details
Per head / day
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Whole herd / day
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Total over period
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Estimated cost
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Daily feed per head = body weight × intake %. Multiply by the number of animals for the daily herd total, and by the number of days for the period total. Typical dry-matter intakes are around 2–3% for cattle and 3–4% for sheep and goats.
Use this free livestock feed calculator to estimate how much feed your animals need. Enter body weight, herd size and days to get daily and total feed, plus cost.
What this livestock feed calculator does
A livestock feed calculator works out daily feed from body weight and a daily intake percentage, then scales it across your herd and feeding period to a total — and an estimated cost.
How feed quantity is calculated
per head/day = body weight × intake %
herd/day = per head × number of animals
total = herd/day × days
So a 500 kg beef animal at 2.5% eats about 12.5 kg a day — 18,750 kg for 50 head over 30 days.
Typical daily intake (dry matter)
Animal
Intake (% of body weight)
Beef cattle
~2–2.5%
Dairy cow (lactating)
~3–3.5%
Sheep / goat
~3–4%
Horse
~2–2.5%
What changes feed needs
Production stage matters most — growth, late pregnancy, lactation and work all raise requirements. Feed quality, weather and body condition also shift intake, so treat the percentage as a starting point.
How to use the livestock feed calculator
Pick the animal to set a typical intake %.
Enter body weight, herd size and days.
Add a feed cost for the total bill.
Livestock Feed FAQ
How much feed does a cow need per day?
Around 2–3% of body weight in dry matter. A 500 kg beef animal at 2.5% eats about 12.5 kg a day.
How do I calculate total feed for a herd?
Multiply daily feed per head by the number of animals, then by the number of days. 50 head at 12.5 kg for 30 days is 18,750 kg.
What is the intake percentage?
It's daily feed as a share of body weight — roughly 2–2.5% for beef cattle, 3–3.5% for dairy cows and 3–4% for sheep and goats.
Why does feed need change?
Growth, late pregnancy, lactation, work, weather and feed quality all change requirements, so adjust the percentage to your animals.
Is this dry matter or as-fed?
The intake percentages here are on a dry-matter basis. If you feed wetter rations, the as-fed weight will be higher.
Is the livestock feed calculator free?
Yes, this livestock feed calculator is completely free, needs no sign-up, and gives instant results in your browser.
