Tolga AkayRuminant Nutrition
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MembersMembers: 10 new pig nutrition guides and 2 farm formsMembersUludağ University Animal Science students: priority approval and future Silver membershipAcademyNutriSpecies Academy page: referenced posts on every farm animal groupQ&AWhat does urine pH really tell us in close-up cows?Q&AWhy do cows sort against long particles?Q&AWhy does starch digestibility change after ensiling?MembersMembers only: NASEM (2021) dairy ration formulation softwareMembersMembership: register with your own email, access after approvalLabNutrition Lab: 10 interactive, science-based toolsToolHeat stress (THI) tracker: 7-day forecast for your provinceToolDCAD calculator: cation-anion difference in secondsLibraryDairy nutrition dictionary: 103 key termsLibraryLibrary: 4 technical reports and 2 infographics
Applied ruminant nutrition

Evidence-based nutrition for dairy cattle, from the laboratory to the farm.

I work on dairy cow feeding, transition cow management and feed additives, turning peer-reviewed research into rations that work in practice.

Get consulting Read the articles
R&D & LaboratoryGlobal NutritechVisit Global Nutritech ↗
  • Analysis-driven formulationRations and TMR built on laboratory data
  • Dairy & beef advisoryOn-farm and remote, with measurable targets
  • Evidence-based approachPeer-reviewed literature and NASEM (2021)
Holstein dairy cows on pasture Aerial view of a large livestock farm with barns, silos and feed storage Holstein cows eating at the feed bunk in a freestall barn
Dairy cattle nutritionRation · Rumen · Transition
Choose your sector

Nutrition support for dairy and beef operations

Holstein dairy cows at the feed bunk with a herdsman Dairy Dairy cattle Transition cows, rumen health, milk components and ration evaluation. Dairy nutrition Beef cattle eating at a feedlot bunk Beef Beef cattle Receiving and finishing rations, feed efficiency, rumen health and mineral programs. Beef nutrition
How I work

From the first call to follow-up: remote or on the farm

Depending on your needs we work remotely or on your farm. Both paths have clear steps, so you know what to expect.

Get consulting
01

Initial call

A phone, WhatsApp or video call to understand your herd, the problem and your goals. Together we decide whether remote consulting is enough or a farm visit is needed.

then

Remote consulting

Online · anywhere in Türkiye and abroad
  1. 02

    Data & ration sharing

    You send the current ration, feed analyses, herd and milk records, plus photos or videos of the bunk and TMR.

  2. 03

    Ration review

    Nutrient balance, forage quality, intake and cost are checked. If needed, samples are sent to the laboratory.

  3. 04

    Gaps & action plan

    You receive a written report with the gaps found and prioritised recommendations, explained in a video call.

  4. 05

    Online follow-up

    Results are followed by WhatsApp or video calls and the ration is updated when forages or conditions change.

On-farm consulting

On site · farm visit
  1. 02

    Farm visit & field inspection

    Feed bunk, TMR mixing, water, housing, cow comfort and the general state of the herd are inspected on site.

  2. 03

    Measurements & samples

    Penn State separator, manure, body condition and rumen fill scoring, urine pH where needed; TMR and forage samples go to the laboratory.

  3. 04

    Gaps & ration review

    Field findings and lab results are combined with the ration; you receive a written report and a prioritised action plan.

  4. 05

    Implementation & follow-up visits

    Changes are applied step by step and followed through intake, milk yield, components, health records and follow-up visits.

What to prepare
  • Current ration printout
  • Recent feed & forage analyses
  • Herd size & production level
  • Milk records (yield, fat, protein)
  • Recent health events
  • Photos/videos of the feed bunk and TMR
Animal groups

Feeding guides by animal group

Choose an animal group to see its feeding stages.

All animal groups
Dairy cowsDry period, transition, peak and late lactation.Beef cattleReceiving, step-up, growing and finishing.CalvesColostrum, milk period before weaning, starter and weaning.HeifersGrowth targets and feeding from 4 months to first calving.Sheep & goatsFlushing, late pregnancy, lamb rearing and fattening.
Knowledge hub

Practical knowledge for better feeding

Articles, guides and references, organised by topic.

Ask TolgaOpen the knowledge hub
3 articlesArticlesReferenced technical articles on feeding and herd health.Explore 3 sectionsHerd health guideMetabolic, hoof and other disorders: signs, targets, prevention.Explore 17 feedsFeed ingredient guideTypical nutrient values and practical notes for common feeds.Explore 103 termsDictionary103 dairy nutrition terms explained briefly.Explore 4 reports · 2 infographicsReports & infographicsIn-depth PDF reports and one-page visual summaries.Explore 4 answersAsk TolgaSend your question; selected answers are published here.Explore
Free tools

Practical tools for the farm and the lab

Calculators, live heat stress data, a self-check and visual guides. Free, and no sign-up needed.

All tools
Live dataHeat stress (THI) tracker7-day temperature-humidity index forecast for your province, with what to do on hot days.Open the tool CalculatorMilk vs. feed costIncome over feed cost per cow and herd, feed cost per kg of milk and the milk/feed price ratio.Open the tool CalculatorSilage stock & feed-outHow many days your silage will last and how fast the silo face should advance.Open the tool Self-checkTransition cow risk check10 questions, a risk score and tailored advice for your close-up and fresh cows.Open the tool Visual guideScoring guidesBody condition, manure and rumen fill scoring: what each score looks like and the targets.Open the tool InteractiveInteractive stomach mapClick each compartment of the ruminant stomach to see its function and related disorders.Open the tool
Nutrition Lab

Explore ruminant nutrition interactively

Interactive, science-based tools: watch the rumen respond to the diet, follow nutrients from feed to milk and test your reasoning with field cases.

Open the Lab · 10 tools
Interactive CowExplore organs and nutrient pathways across lactation stages.Live RumenChange the diet and watch fermentation and pH tendencies respond.Inside the CowFollow starch, fibre, protein or fat from feed to milk.Silage Fermentation SimulatorFrom harvest to feed-out: what drives good or poor silage.Nutrition Case ChallengeField-style cases to practise nutritional reasoning.
Portrait of Tolga Akay
Tolga AkayAnimal Nutritionist
Position
R&D Coordinator & Laboratory Manager
Education
MSc Animal Nutrition (in progress)
Expertise
Dairy and beef cattle nutrition
Languages
Turkish, English
About

I'm an animal nutritionist who turns laboratory data into rations that work on the farm.

I work as R&D Coordinator and Laboratory Manager at Global Nutritech Biyoteknoloji, where I lead the development of feed additives and premixes. In our laboratory I run feed, silage and TMR analyses, particle-size (Penn State) measurements and product evaluations.

I am also completing a master's degree in animal nutrition. My work focuses on the nutrition of dairy and beef cattle, rumen health and transition cow management.

Consulting for dairy and beef farms

  • Formulating new rations and reviewing your current ration
  • Interpreting feed, silage and TMR analyses; particle-size checks
  • Transition cow programmes and DCAD to prevent milk fever
  • Receiving and finishing rations and feed efficiency for beef cattle
  • Evidence-based assessment of feed additives

On this site I share technical articles based on peer-reviewed sources, free calculators and interactive learning tools.

Tolga Akay as a child at a computer in the Global Nutritech office
Where it started
Get consulting LinkedIn profile Global Nutritech ↗
LinkedIn education pageNutriSpecies AcademyReferenced posts on the nutrition of dairy and beef cattle, small ruminants, poultry and pigs. Explore the academy →
LinkedIn education page

NutriSpecies Academy

My LinkedIn education page: referenced posts on the nutrition of every farm animal group, from dairy and beef cattle to sheep, goats, poultry and pigs, written for nutrition professionals.

Explore the academy Follow on LinkedIn ↗
Dairy cattleBeef cattleCalves & heifersSheepGoatsPoultryPigsFeed & additives
Student programmeUludağ University Animal Science student?Priority approval, a student badge and Silver membership as a gift if membership ever becomes paid. See your privileges
Newsletter

Ruminant nutrition notes in your inbox

New articles, technical reports and short research notes on dairy cow feeding. Sent occasionally, never shared.

Work together

Consulting for farms, veterinarians and feed companies

Send a short description of the herd or product and what you would like to solve.

Ration evaluationFormulation, forage analysis and what cows actually eat.
Transition cow programsClose-up and fresh diets, DCAD and urine pH monitoring.
TMR & particle sizeSeparator analysis, sorting checks, mixing consistency.
Product assessmentEvidence review and trial design for feed additives.

Ask a question

Your message goes straight to my inbox. Please include herd size or product type.

Or email [email protected] or message on LinkedIn

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