Pasture Stocking Rate Calculator
Estimate grazing capacity. Enter forage per acre, the grazing days and a utilization percent, then give either your pasture acres to see animal units, or animal units to see the acres needed.
How to estimate stocking rate
- Enter standing forage in pounds per acre and the grazing days.
- Set the utilization percent and daily intake per animal unit.
- Enter your pasture acres to find animal units supported.
- Or enter animal units to find the acres needed.
Examples
100 acres at 3000 lb per acre
100 acres, 3000 lb/acre, 50% use, 26 lb/AU/day, 120 days
150000 lb usable forage, about 48.08 animal units
Frequently asked questions
What is an animal unit?
An animal unit (AU) is a standard grazing animal, usually a 1000 pound cow with calf. It eats about 26 pounds of dry forage a day, or roughly 2.6 percent of body weight.
What utilization percent should I use?
A common planning figure is 50 percent, leaving half the forage as residue for regrowth and soil cover. Rotational grazing can push higher; continuous grazing often lower.
How do I estimate forage per acre?
Clip and weigh sample plots, or use local extension yield figures for your forage and rainfall. Forage varies hugely by species, season and soil, so measure when you can.
Should I match acres or animal units?
Enter your pasture acres to see how many animal units it supports, or enter the herd in animal units to see the acres needed. Provide exactly one of the two.
Is this a grazing plan?
No. It is a planning estimate that ignores trampling, weather and forage quality swings. Adjust with your own monitoring and local extension guidance.
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