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Agricultural Marketing Service Room 2646-South Building Effective Date: July 22, 2011

National Organic Program Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 7

Original Issue Date: 03/17/10 Authorized Distribution: Public

File Name: NOP 5017 Calculating Dry Matter Intake Rev02 08 31 18

Guidance

Calculating Dry Matter Intake from Pasture

Links Update: August 31, 2018

1. Purpose 

This guidance provides clarification on how to calculate dry matter intake from pasture for the purpose 

of ensuring ruminants derive not less than an average of 30 percent of their dry matter intake (DMI) 

requirement from pasture grazed over the course of the grazing season (grazed from vegetation rooted in 

pasture or residual forage).

2. Scope

This guidance applies to all accredited certifying agents and certified and exempt operations.

3. Background

The Access to Pasture final rule (February 17, 2010) requires that ruminant animals be managed on 

pasture and graze daily throughout the grazing season. The rule provides certainty to consumers that 

organic livestock farms and ranches are pasture based systems where animals are not confined and are 

actively grazing pasture during the grazing season. This rule establishes clear and enforceable standards 

regarding access to pasture for organic livestock operations. This rule adds sufficient specificity and 

clarity to the organic livestock production standards which will enable producers and certifying agents to 

consistently implement NOP regulations. The measures within this rule allow the NOP to efficiently 

administer and enforce the integrity of the organic seal concerning ruminant livestock feed and living 

conditions.

4. Policy

4.1 General.

DMI is to be calculated as an average over the entire grazing season for each class and type (stage of 

production) of animal. The length of the grazing season is determined by the climate patterns and 

weather events for a geographical location and availability of irrigation. The grazing season must be at 

least 120 days and does not have to be continuous. This provides flexibility to make adjustments when 

inclement weather, season, and or climate conditions arise and cause breaks in a continuous grazing 

period, due to poor growing conditions, for example. There are a variety of acceptable methods for 

determining dry matter demand and intake that can be readily used by the producer and inspected by the 

certifying agent. The step-by-step guide, below, presents one method for determining dry matter 

demand and dry matter intake. This method is commonly used among livestock producers to calculate 

dry matter demand and dry matter intake, and is shown here in the context of the pasture requirements 

for organic ruminants. The accompanying NOP DMI Calculation Worksheets can be used to calculate 

and record dry matter intake. These worksheets can be incorporated into the Organic Systems Plan. 
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An initial DMI should be calculated at the beginning of the grazing season for each class and type of 

animal; additional calculations should be made whenever a change occurs. For example, the nutritional 

requirements of a ruminant animal may vary/change within the grazing season. If a producer wants to 

maximize the energy expenditure of their animals (e.g., lactation, growth) at a given time, he/she will 

increase or decrease the DMI to account for the new dry matter demands based on increased/decreased 

energy needs. To illustrate another example, the diet of an animal may change over the grazing season 

due to the availability, quantity, and quality of the pasture (forages). Ultimately, a producer will want to 

show the average of those values over the entire grazing season in the organic system plan.

4.2 What is dry matter intake?

Dry matter intake is the amount of feed a cow consumes per day on a moisture-free basis. Most 

producers are used to dealing with feed on an as-fed basis (pounds of feed actually fed to animal with 

the water in it); however, in order to determine an accurate estimate of the nutrient intake and to 

compare feeds, an animal’s diet must be analyzed on a moisture-free basis. There are three major 

factors that can affect a ruminant animal’s dry matter intake: feed ration (the quality and availability of 

forage and the amount and type of supplements); the environment; and the animal itself (including size, 

body condition, stage of life and level of production).

DMI is a factor that must be estimated before an animal's diet can be properly calculated; it establishes 

the amount of nutrients available to an animal for health and production. DMI is the level of intake that 

an animal must consume from a ration that contains the recommended energy concentration for the 

animal’s stage of life and level of production. It is important for DMI to be actually measured or 

accurately estimated so that diets can be properly formulated to prevent underfeeding or overfeeding of 

nutrients, and to promote efficient nutrient use.

Estimating daily dry matter intake from pasture is a challenge. Most ruminants eat to satisfy a need for 

total pounds of dry matter (physical fill) or eat to meet energy needs (energy intake/requirements in

response to energy expenditure such as milk production); thus, knowing the predicted dry matter 

demand will allow you to estimate dry matter intake from pasture. Producers must consider the dry 

matter demand and nutritional requirements of the class of animal for its given stage of life and 

production.

Most producers will predict, or estimate, DMI from reference tables developed for this purpose or 

published data. Predicting DMI is not an exact science; estimations for dry matter demand and intake do 

not account for the numerous physiological, environmental, and management factors that alter dry 

matter demand; therefore, producers should use these values as general estimates. Producers will need 

to evaluate animals’ diets and observe the herd to make sure the animals’ nutritional requirements are 

being met. NOP encourages producers to use local, regional, and state experts, such as state Extension 

Service, Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) grazing land specialists, university 

experts, nutritional consultants, and veterinarians to assist in analyzing the numerous physiological, 

environmental, and management factors specific to your operation that may alter dry matter demand for 

your animals so that the most accurate DMI can be estimated.

Below is a step-by-step guide on calculating DMI from pasture. Dry matter demand is determined from 

the expected total DMI as outlined by the National Research Council (NRC) or other published data 
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(Step 1). The amount (dry matter basis) of supplemental feed (such as grain and hay) is determined 

(Step 2) and then subtracted from the expected total DMI to “estimate” pasture DMI (Step 3).

5. Procedure

5.1 Step 1: Predict Dry Matter Demand (in pounds, lb)

The first step in predicting dry matter intake is to estimate dry matter demand. Dry matter demand is the 

expected dry matter intake for a class of animal. Dry matter demand is generally based on class of 

animal, stage of life and production (for example, lactating, reproductive status, or growth stage) and 

body weight. As stated previously, estimations for dry matter demand do not account for the numerous 

physiological, environmental, and management factors that alter dry matter demand, and, therefore, 

should be used as general estimates.

1. Option 1 - Use expected total DMI from referenced tables or published data.

You can determine the pounds (lb) of dry matter demand by using the predicted dry matter intake 

(DMI) values in the nutrient requirement tables in the Nutrient Requirements of Domestic 

Animals Series published by NRC. NOP has developed guidance tables adapted from the NRC 

nutrient requirement tables [NOP Dry Matter Demand Tables for Classes of Beef Cattle and 

NOP Dry Matter Demand Tables for Classes of Dairy Cattle]. These documents can be found at 

www.ams.usda.gov/NOP. The NOP guidance tables are a simplified and condensed version of 

the information from the NRC nutrient requirement tables. The NRC and NOP tables will give 

the same or similar values. The NRC publications are accessible online.

a. Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle (7th Revised Edition, 2000)

b. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle (7th Revised Edition, 2001) 

c. Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants: Sheep, Goats, Cervids, and New World Camelids

(2007)

Producers may increase or decrease the dry matter demand value in published data or tables to 

account for various environment and management factors. If an adjustment is made, the reasons 

for the adjustment should be documented on the DMI Calculation Worksheet.

EXAMPLE: A 500 lb beef replacement heifer with an expect mature weight of approximately 

1,000 lb and an average daily gain of 1.0 lb will have a dry matter demand of 14.6 lb per day.

2. Option 2 - Use a % body weight value to determine dry matter demand for the class of animal.

a. Determine the average weight for the class of animal.

b. Determine the DMI % Body Weight Value for the class and stage of production of animal. 

This can be determined from reference tables or published data. Depending on the quality of 

diet, breed and size of the animal, and energy expenditure of the animal (pounds of milk 

produced), a mature beef cow, for example, will consume 1-3% of her body weight, while a 

mature dairy cow will consume 2.5-4.5% of her body weight.
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c. Calculate dry matter demand using the following formula:

Dry Matter Demand (lb) = Body Weight (lb) x (DMI % Body Weight Value/100 lb)

EXAMPLE: Lactating dairy cows weighing an average of 1200 lb will consume approximately 

3.0% of their body weight in dry matter intake daily. Thus, the dry matter demand is 

approximately 36 lb of dry matter per day for that class of animal.

Dry Matter Demand (lb) = 1200 x (3.0/100) = 36 lb

5.2 Step 2: Determine Dry Matter Intake from Feed Sources Other than Forage Grazed from 

Pasture (for example, hay and grain)

To do this you will need to know the percent dry matter of the feed source in order to convert the pounds 

of feed consumed on an as-fed basis to a dry matter basis. 

Feed composition information, including dry matter content, is available from the following 

references/resources:

1. Composition of Feeds, Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals Series, NRC (links above)

2. United States-Canadian Tables of Feed Composition: Nutritional Data for the United States and

Canadian Feeds, Third Revision

3. Beef Magazine’s 2009 Feed Composition Tables

4. Various State Extension Services

5. Feed Composition Library, Dairy One

6. Feed Library, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

General assumptions for the percent dry matter are as follows:

1. Grain = 89% dry matter

2. Dry hay = 90% dry matter

3. Grain Silage = 25-35% dry matter

4. Haylage/Baleage = 35-60% dry matter

Note: If possible, conduct a forage analysis of your feed to determine the actual dry matter content. Use

actual dry matter values rather than reference/published values, especially for fresh and ensiled feeds. 

Fresh and ensiled feeds contain more moisture and therefore can be widely variable. 

Reference/published values are more accurate for dryer feeds (for example, hay and grain). Using 

incorrect dry matter values could result in overestimating pasture intake.

EXAMPLE:

Feed Source lb, as-fed x Dry Matter, % = Lb, dry matter

Hay 5 x 90/100 4.5

Grain 11 x 89/100 9.79

Total lb DMI from Feed Sources other than Pasture = 14.29
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5.3 Step 3: Determine Dry Matter Intake from Pasture

1. Option 1: Estimate dry matter intake from pasture by subtracting dry matter intake from other 

feed sources from the dry matter demand.

EXAMPLE:

Estimated dry matter demand per animal (lb): 36

- total lb DMI from other feed sources -14.29

= estimated pasture DMI =21.71 (lb)

2. Option 2: Determine actual DMI from pasture by field measurements.

Producers may also determine the actual amount of intake from pasture through paddock/field 

measurements. Guidance for actual pasture measurements can be obtained from local, regional, 

and state experts mentioned above as well as from NOP Actual DMI Determination (in 

development).

5.4 Step 4: Calculate the percentage of dry matter intake to determine if your ruminant 

animals meet the requirement of 30% dry matter intake from pasture during the grazing season.

% Dry matter intake from pasture = (Estimated lb DMI from pasture divided by (÷) estimated dry matter 

demand (lb)) x 100

EXAMPLE:

% Dry matter intake from pasture = (21.71 ÷ 36) x 100 = 60.31% ( Requirement is met)

5.5 Other Dry Matter Intake Calculation Tools

1. NOP 5017-2 Dry Matter Demand Tables for Classes of Dairy Cattle

2. NOP 5017-3 Dry Matter Demand Tables for Classes of Beef Cattle

3. NOP 5017-4 Dry Matter Intake Calculation Worksheet & Example Using National Research 

Council (NRC) Values

4. NOP 5017-5 Dry Matter Intake Calculation Worksheet using Body Weight Values

5. NOP 5017-6 Pasture Worksheet for Rotational/Stocking Grazing Systems

6. NOP 5017-7 Dry Matter Demand Tables for Classes of Dairy Goats

6. References

§ 205.2 Terms Defined

Class of animal. A group of livestock that shares a similar stage of life or production. The classes of 

animals are those that are commonly listed on feed labels.

Dry matter. The amount of a feedstuff remaining after all the free moisture is evaporated out.

Dry matter demand. The expected dry matter intake for a class of animal.

Dry matter intake. Total pounds of all feed, devoid of all moisture, consumed by a class of animals over 

a given period of time.
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Graze. (1) The consumption of standing or residual forage by livestock.

(2) To put livestock to feed on standing or residual forage.

Grazing. To graze.

Grazing season. The period of time when pasture is available for grazing, due to natural precipitation or 

irrigation. Grazing season dates may vary because of mid-summer heat/humidity, significant 

precipitation events, floods, hurricanes, droughts or winter weather events. Grazing season may be 

extended by the grazing of residual forage as agreed in the operation's organic system plan. Due to 

weather, season, or climate, the grazing season may or may not be continuous. Grazing season may 

range from 120 days to 365 days, but not less than 120 days per year.

Inclement weather. Weather that is violent, or characterized by temperatures (high or low), or 

characterized by excessive precipitation that can cause physical harm to a given species of livestock. 

Production yields or growth rates of livestock lower than the maximum achievable do not qualify as 

physical harm.

Livestock. Any cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, or equine animals used for food or in the production 

of food, fiber, feed, or other agricultural-based consumer products; wild or domesticated game; or other 

nonplant life, except such term shall not include aquatic animals for the production of food, fiber, feed, 

or other agricultural-based consumer products.

Residual forage. Forage cut and left to lie, or windrowed and left to lie, in place in the pasture.

Stage of life. A discrete time period in an animal's life which requires specific management practices 

different than during other periods (e.g., poultry during feathering). Breeding, freshening, lactation and 

other recurring events are not a stage of life.

NOP Regulations (as amended to date)

7 CFR § 205.237 Livestock Feed

7 CFR § 205.239 Livestock health care practice standard

7 CFR § 205.240 Livestock living conditions

NOP Program Handbook: Guidance and Instructions for Accredited Certifying Agents and 

Certified Operations

NOP 5017-2: Dry Matter Demand Tables for Classes of Dairy Cattle. March 17, 2010.

NOP 5017-3: Dry Matter Demand Tables for Classes of Beef Cattle. February 12, 2010.

NOP 5017-4: Dry Matter Intake Calculation Worksheet & Example Using National Research Council 

(NRC) Values. February 12, 2010.

NOP 5017-5: Dry Matter Intake Calculation Worksheet using Body Weight Values. March 29, 2010.
United States Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue SW. NOP 5017-1

Agricultural Marketing Service Room 2646-South Building Effective Date: July 22, 2011

National Organic Program Washington, DC 20250 Page 7 of 7

Original Issue Date: 03/17/10 Authorized Distribution: Public

File Name: NOP 5017 Calculating Dry Matter Intake Rev02 08 31 18

NOP 5017-6: Pasture Worksheet for Rotational/Stocking Grazing Systems. March 09, 2011.

NOP 5017-7: Dry Matter Demand Tables for Classes of Dairy Goats. December 1, 2010.

Approved on July 22, 2011