Fodder/roughages are bulky feeds that are rich in energy and proteins, but are not whole meal. They are important for high milk production in dairy cows and constitute up to 80 per cent of the diet. Example of fodder includes napier grass, Boma Rhodes, lucerne, desmodium and sweet potatoes vines. https://nation-africa.cdn.ampproject.org/wp/s/nation.africa/kenya/business/seeds-of-gold/how-to-feed-a-dairy-cow-for-more-milk-486428?view=htmlamp&usqp=mq331AQTKAFQApgB2_6xkc-38qSyAbABIA%3D%3D

Provide a flake of alfalfa/grass hay for the first five days after calving. Early lactation diet should contain plenty of good quality digestible fiber (31 to 35 percent neutral detergent fiber). Maintain fiber mat with consistent feed intake and avoid empty bunks. https://extension.umn.edu/dairy-milking-cows/improving-peak-milk-yields

After calving, a dairy cow should be fed 3kg of concentrates (dairy meal) per day depending on individual production. The animals may be challenged further by increasing their dairy meal rations for up to an optimal level. https://businessfocus.co.ug/here-is-how-to-feed-dairy-cows-to-increase-milk-production/

Granular mineral salts should be mixed with feeds in a feeding trough or fed with the concentrates. It may be necessary to moisten the granular mineral licks to prevent dusting during licking as this predisposes the cows to respiratory problems. https://businessfocus.co.ug/here-is-how-to-feed-dairy-cows-to-increase-milk-production/

The quantity of milk produced by dairy cows and her ability to get back into calf depends on her intake of feed nutrients, such as dietary energy, protein, fibre, minerals and other forms of micro nutrients. These can be supplied by a wide variety of feeds such as forages, cereal grains and other types of agro-industrial byproducts. In some countries where cows can live outdoors, the bulk of these nutrients are supplied by grazed pastures, whereas in most other countries the cows are housed indoors 24/7 and fed conserved forages (such as hay and silage). All cows are fed additional energy (and protein) rich supplements with the quantity fed depending on their target milk yields.

Thanks John Moran for this best answer, I recommended your answer

Good evening. For a more detailed answer, I think we should know the breed reared, the breeding method. Generally alfalfa hays with a good protein content. As flours, that of soy.

Thanks Roberto De Vivo for your answer

Milk production depends on a variety of factors but roughly a good quality forage (at least 50% of the ration) is needed to supply enough acetic acid for de novo synthesis of fat in the mammary gland, and also to maintain an adequate pH in the rumen (at low values the routes of biohydrogenation of fatty acids change and some CLA isomers are produced that are inhibitors of lypogenesis in the mammary gland). Corn silage is usually used for this purpose. Also an adequate source of protein should be provided. As a guide, a mixture of corn silage and alfalfa hay (70:30) can be given as forage (at least 50% of the ration). The concentrate can be formulated with a variety of ingredients. Particle size of the forage is also important to provide effective fibre.

Thanks a lot Antonio De Vega, I recommended this valued and constructive idea.

Natural grazing with the minimum of genetically modified grains. Limited Antibiotic use and dipping. Basically a healthy environment.

Thanks Joseph Stroud for this valued contribution

To achieve maximum milk production from cows depends on various factors. However, if we focus on feed one should adopt feeding a balanced ration i.e. total mixed ration for better feed utilization and productivity with adequate good quality fodder comprised of both leguminous and non-leguminous fodders. In addition to this, ad-lib drinking water should be offered round the clock.

Thank you Asish Debbarma for this valued contribution

https://www.feedstrategy.com/dairy-cattle-nutrition/nutritional-strategies-to-improve-dairy-cow-production-reproduction/

Thank you Dr. Aqeel Yousif Alshukri for your sharing, I shall take a look it!

Give more source of crude fiber

Give more source of protein such as green fodder

Thank you Bayesa Tolasa Itafa for a great question. I think the feeding depends on the type of cow, the area and available pasture. Below article can assist further and happy reading,

Article Milk Society and Industrialisation in East Africa

Thank you very much Ms Kezia Mkwizu for your valued contribution.

Dear Patricia Iweka, thank you for your valued contribution.

Given 60% grass such as bracharia and 40% dairy concentrate of 16% crude protein which you can formulate using available ingredients in your area ( Soybean, Cotton seed meal and GNC as a source of protein). You should feed the cow 4% of her body weight.