A dataset of human-inedible byproduct feeds consumed by dairy cows in the United States

Abstract

Dairy cows convert human-indigestible forages and byproducts nutrients into edible food for humans [1]. Because of microbiota located in their rumen, dairy cows can digest fibrous forages and feeds which are not exploited by humans and monogastric animals like pigs. Dairy cows in the U.S. have been fed byproduct feeds as part of their diet for decades [2,3]. Dairy nutritionists use complex nutrition models to develop economical and nutritious diets composed of grains, byproduct feeds, and forages. Accurate, complete, up-to-date information on byproduct feed consumption by dairy cows would be useful for both public and private researchers seeking to understand the type and extent of byproduct usage on US dairies. In collaboration with the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), a survey was sent to US feed company representatives inquiring about the types and amounts of byproducts sold as dairy cow feed during the last year, the number of lactating cows serviced, the amount of milk produced by these lactating cows, and the states where these cows were located. A similar survey was sent to practicing US dairy nutritionists inquiring about their typical daily feeding rates of byproduct feeds by type, the number of cows consuming these byproducts, the amount of milk produced by the lactating cows, and the states where these cows were located. Survey data are representative of 33.5% of US lactating cows and 35.7% of US milk production in 2019 [4]. Amounts of each type of byproduct feed consumed per US milking cow (including replacement heifers and dry cows) and per kg of milk produced were calculated for the US and its four regions [5]. Total 2019 regional and US byproduct consumption by type was calculated. Nutrient compositions of each byproduct feed were reported.