Who doesn’t love chocolate? Surprisingly, dairy cows enjoy it too—just in a remarkable way! Dairy cows are natural recyclers. They have a unique digestive system that enables them to upcycle byproducts and surplus food waste, such as chocolate, and to transform their “candy meals” into nutritious milk.
Cows have Nutritionists
Most dairy farmers work regularly with dairy cow nutritionists who advise them on how to optimize the nutrition of their animals. Evan Snyder, a dairy nutritionist and owner of 4ward Ag, an agriculture nutrition consultant company, grew up on a dairy farm in central Pennsylvania. He has a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Penn State University. We spoke with Snyder about how byproducts like chocolate can balance cow diets and support dairy sustainability.
What are Byproducts?
“Most of the byproducts we feed are a result of removing something from the ingredient to use on the human side like cooking oil, cereal, or beer,” Snyder explains. For instance, oilseeds like corn, soybean, and canola are processed to make cooking oil, leaving behind materials such as soybean meal and soyhulls. Similarly, cereal grains like wheat and oats result in byproducts like corn germ, gluten, and canola meal. Additional byproducts include brewers’ grains from beer production and distillers’ grains from ethanol production, which are repurposed as nutritious additions to cow feed.
Why Cows are Natural Upcyclers
Dairy cows are ruminants, meaning they have four distinct compartments in their stomach to digest foods. That means they can eat and unlock the energy and nutrients in foods we can’t eat. According to UC Davis, globally, “more than 80% of a cow’s diet is not consumable by humans.”
“Byproducts can make up between 10-40% of cows feed, bridging nutritional gaps when combined with farm-produced grains and forages,” Snyder says.
“In the Northeast, we feed mostly oilseed and cereal grain byproducts,” Snyder adds. “Chocolate and bakery products are popular as well.” Cows can find nuggets of chocolate from manufacturers like Hershey’s or Mars in their feed or bits of pumpkins from the seasonal surplus. These items allow Snyder to create cost-effective, nutrient-rich diets for the animals.
The Nutritional Benefit of Byproducts
Think of dairy cows as professional athletes. Their performance—producing milk—depends on a well-balanced diet. Food byproducts like chocolate provide essential energy while complementing the other components of their feed. “Cows are very good at digesting sugar, which makes chocolate an excellent option.” Farmers and nutritionists prioritize safety by testing all feed ingredients, including byproducts, to ensure they’re beneficial for cows.
Sustainability in Action
Feeding byproducts to cows significantly reduces food waste and supports sustainable farming practices. “Byproducts allow farmers to fill nutritional gaps in cow diets while also reducing landfill waste,” Snyder notes. “This process makes the production of milk more efficient.”
Fun Facts About Cow Feeding
Cows don’t just enjoy chocolate; they also have a surprising taste for fruits. “Cows love fruit,” Snyder shares. “Once they get a melon smashed open, they’ll eat it faster than you can imagine and then run to the next one.” While fruit and vegetables aren’t a byproduct in the traditional sense, blemished or surplus fruits and vegetables often make their way into cow diets, further emphasizing their upcycling superpowers.
Why It Matters
Every day, dairy farmers wake up with one goal: to ensure their herd’s well-being. “The success of every dairy farmer is tied to their animals being as healthy and comfortable as possible,” says Snyder. Farmers, guided by nutritionists like Snyder, ensure their cows are healthy and comfortable while contributing to a greener planet.
So, the next time you pour a glass of milk or add it to your favorite recipe, remember the unique role cows play in upcycling and sustainability.
Isn’t it sweet? 🍫🐄🥛
