- Determine cows' nutritional and feed requirements
- Measure crop yields and dry matter content
- Allocate sufficient crop and supplement to meet cow’s requirements
- Allow for no more than 85% crop utilisation, may need to be less to get BCS gain
- Feed allowance is the major factor affecting cow intake - measure the area allocated accurately e.g. use a land wheel or GPS
- Mitigate animal health problems
- Consider animal welfare issues
- Reduce negative environmental impacts.