A:   The reason why we talk about feed intake in beef cattle on a dry matter basis is that nutrient requirements are on a dry matter basis. If the needs are calculated on a dry matter basis then we can take any feed if we know the moisture, and convert that feed to an as-fed basis. Feeds that cattle consume include moisture. So if a cow is consuming 24 lb of forage on a dry matter basis, and the feed is 60% water and therefore 40% dry matter, on an as-fed basis, she will consume 60 lb. Forage intake is a function of forage quality, cow size, and stage of production (lactating and amount of milk or gestating). As forage quality decreases, forage intake will decrease, as cow size increases, forage intake will increase, and cows will consume more when they are lactating compared to gestating. Do they need to eat to capacity depends on forage quality. When grass is vegatative, in most cases, cattle will consume more than they need. When the grass gets more matures and they are lactating, they may not be able to consume enough to meet their requirements.