Cattle require certain nutrients in specific amounts in order to grow, thrive and reproduce. This fact sheet describes the nutrients, explains common terms used in feeds and feeding, and provides lists of nutrient requirements by animal type and productivity level.

This technical note briefly highlights some factors that affect nutrients in manure from dairy cattle and modifications in the diet that can be used to reduce them. A critical part of feed management is to accurately formulate diets and manage the feeding so that the nutrients fed consistently match the nutri-ents needed by each group in the herd.

This fact sheet provides some guidelines to help livestock producers reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses by monitoring and/or changing feeding and management practices. This can result in less waste and ultimately a healthier, cleaner, and safer environment.