Abstract
A method of estimating the annual energy requirements for a dairy herd in Queensland was developed from nutritional standards and observed correlations of liveweight and milk production obtained from farm survey data. Maintenance energy requirements were calculated from liveweight estimated from milk yield, and together with energy requirements for milk yield, and allowances for walking and liveweight gain, the total energy requirements for the average cow were calculated. The method allows farmers and advisers to calculate herd energy requirements from easily obtainable milk production data and is useful in formulating rations.