How much feed would a jersey cow need?

[farmergirl]

I have ALOT of grass in my 8 acre pasture and the sheep I have can't seem to put a dent in it. I'd like to have a milk cow someday and I'm wondering it she could survive (and produce good milk) on pasture grass alone. I've heard tell that milk cows, even smaller ones like Jerseys, require alot of supplemental feed to keep the milk flowing. Anyone here have experience with milking and feeding Jerseys?

[agmantoo]

A beef cow can thrive on 3% of its body weight of good quality feed. Unfertilized grass that is available only certain months of the year will not support the beef cow yeararound. A milk cow that is milking will need additional nutrition (grain) to minimize her giving up fat from her body condition.

[JulieLou42]

If on really good grass or hay and some legumes, a milk cow doesn't need anything else for food. Left to Nature's Way with her calf -- or you -- taking her milk, why shouldn't she thrive?

If you want her to produce the most omega-3 oil and conjugated linoleic acid [CLA] you have to keep them off grains completely. Otherwise, you might want to eat a lot of cold water fish for the former and take capsules for the latter. The former helps you with circulatory issues and the latter with weight control.