Feed, milk and manure are the principal inputs and outputs of dairy production.  Estimates of these inputs and outputs under farmer conditions are needed to understand relationships between resource use and production, and identify interventions that could potentially enhance overall system sustainability. This presentation describes the survey methods used and results obtained for quantifying dairy herd structure, feed inputs, milk and manure outputs and overall resources use in small-holder dairy farming systems. Examples will be given from West Africa, China and India.