Dairy FAQ

About Cows

How much milk does a cow give each day?
On average, a cow will produce 6-7 gallons of milk each day.

What do cows eat?
Cows eat about 100 pounds of feed each day, which is a combination of hay, grain and silage (fermented corn or grass). They drink a lot of water too – up to 50 gallons a day.

How many stomachs do cows have?
A cow has one stomach with four different chambers, which is why many people say that a cow has four stomachs.

How many breeds of dairy cattle are there?
There are six main breeds of dairy cows: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey and Milking Shorthorn.

What do you call male and female dairy animals?
Males are called bulls. Females, prior to giving birth, are called calves or heifers. Once they give birth, female dairy animals are called cows. All cows give milk once they have a calf.