High-quality home-produced forage is essential for formulating an adequate basal ration and ensuring an appropriate supply of nutrients for dairy cows. The aim of B.Sc. Thesis was to analyse home-produced forage and determine whether a transition to hay milk production would be feasible on the farm. In addition, we aimed to assess whether the quality of the forage was suitable for formulating a high-quality basal ration. The quality of different types of forage was determined based on laboratory analyses of dry matter, crude fibre, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash and mineral contents. The net energy for lactation (NEL) was also calculated using DLG tables and digestibility coefficients. The results of the analyses were compared with reference values from the literature, based on which the quality class of the forage was determined. The results showed that forage quality varied among the different types of forage. Based on the analytical results, a ration for dairy cows was formulated and its adequacy in relation to the cows' nutritional requirements was assessed. The amounts of dry matter intake, NEL and digestible crude protein, as well as the potassium-to-sodium ratio, were adequate, whereas the calcium to-phosphorus ratio was slightly imbalanced. To achieve an appropriate ratio, further adjustments to the basal ration would be necessary, including the incorporation of a greater proportion of forage with a lower calcium content. A transition to hay milk production would be feasible on the farm. However, certain adjustments to the composition of the feed ration and to feed storage practices would be necessary.
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