How much hay for dairy cow?

[farm mom]

Hi there,

We are considering getting a dairy cow. We have milk goats now but would rather have a cow. The problem is we only have a dry lot acreage (we live in the high desert and irrigated acreage is close to the 1 million mark here, not cost effective to move at this time. We could buy lots of hay for the increase in mortgage!) and am wondering how much hay would she need (roughly) to sustain her through the year. Thinking along the lines of a Jersey. Thank you!

[SRobles]

I hear a full grow cow can eat a half a bale to a whole bale of hay per day

[MARYDVM]

My mini Jersey X Dexter is eating about 4 flakes of hay twice a day (plus grain) while milking and raising her calf. We're in the middle of the desert without any pasture at all.

[JulieLou42]

May depend on the type of grass hay's made from, and the quality of it, whether from first or second cutting...one 45# bale per day is a ballpark figure. Mine doesn't care for Timothy grass much, but eats it. Her preference is orchard grass. Where we live, it's cheaper and less wasteful to give her alfalfa pellets over pricey alfalfa hay.