IOFC Benchmarks & Dairy KPI Targets
Income Over Feed Cost across 5 regions — with industry-standard targets for every key metric. Free to share and embed.
Last updated: June 2026 · Sources: Penn State Extension, Virginia Tech DASC, NASEM, USDA NASS
IOFC by Region
Income Over Feed Cost per cow per day varies dramatically by region due to local feed costs, milk prices, and production systems.
United States
Confinement / TMREuropean Union
Mixed (Pasture + TMR)New Zealand
Intensive PastureIndia / South Asia
Smallholder / BuffaloEast Africa
Smallholder / MixedIndustry KPI Targets
Use these benchmark ranges to evaluate where your farm stands. Track these monthly to catch problems early.
IOFC per Cow/Day
Feed Cost Ratio
Profit Margin
SCC (cells/mL)
Pregnancy Rate
Calving Interval
The IOFC Formula
Example: 25 L/day × $0.75/L − $5.00 feed = $13.75 IOFC/cow/day
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Open IOFC Calculator →Glossary
Quick definitions of key terms used in this infographic.
IOFC (Income Over Feed Cost)
The dollar amount left after subtracting feed cost from milk income per cow per day. It's the single best metric linking nutrition to profitability.
Feed Cost Ratio
Feed cost expressed as a percentage of total milk income. Lower is better — it means more of your milk revenue stays as profit.
SCC (Somatic Cell Count)
A measure of milk quality and udder health. Lower cell counts indicate healthier cows and higher-quality milk.
TMR (Total Mixed Ration)
A feeding system where all feedstuffs are mixed together so every bite is nutritionally balanced. Common in confinement systems.
Pregnancy Rate
The percentage of eligible cows that become pregnant within a 21-day cycle. Higher rates mean faster herd turnover and better reproductive efficiency.
Calving Interval
The average time between consecutive calvings. Shorter intervals (closer to 12.5 months) indicate better reproductive management.
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Deep dive into the concepts behind this calculator.