These recommended stocking rates are general in nature and can vary depending on current range and soil conditions. H�\�݊�@F�}����4Z]5 d� �b��>��NVب�"o������}��SE���?v���c_���.m׌�޿�up�pm�d�����e6?�[5$q��q����]��,]�3��O��=m������؄������������0� ��M.s��k�%Iw_��[u.�������/q���Cp�. 0000011316 00000 n In Heitschmidt, R. K. and J. W. Stuth (eds.). Stocking rate is defined as the land area allocated to each grazing animal for a specific length of time. 1991. If a typical stocking rate for native range is 25 acres per animal unit, then 100 acres might support only four animal units, assuming all 100 acres produce grass and are grazable. 0000001593 00000 n My land can support my 100 cows for 2.65 months (utilizable lbs forage ÷ lbs of feed consumed per month) 272,000 ÷ 102,720 = 2.65 months . To achieve maximum production and profit, livestock numbers must be matched to current and projected forage levels, not to an average carrying capacity. Stocking Rate Calculator Step 1. Since an animal unit consumes 17.64 pounds of forage daily, in 1 year an animal unit requires 6,439 pounds of forage (365 x17.64). Kothmann, M. M. and R. T. Hinnant. 0000013367 00000 n 1991. At a moderate stocking rate, only half the amount available for consumption (225 pounds per acre) can be used by livestock. trailer <<258A3C54024911DC9FE90017F208D22C>]>> startxref 0 %%EOF 603 0 obj<>stream 0000028424 00000 n This ratio of forage demand (forage intake needed by livestock) to forage supply is called grazing pressure. day/ha per year; below this stocking rate, N leaching is usually low (less than 40 kgN/ha per year). When these photographs are compared for several consecutive years, the rancher will be able to see trends in forage production over time. EXAMPLE FARM Beefy Acres is a cow/calf operation located in the Southeast. Stocking Rate Estimation: Cattle. Through adequate planning and periodic evaluation of range conditions, forage utilization can be controlled so that short- and long-term ranch goals are achieved. cattle production, wildlife habitat). An animal unit is equivalent to an 1,110-pound dry cow at maintenance (Forage and Grazing Terminology Committee, 1991). Grazing Management -an ecological perspective. Stocking rate decisions should be made before the ranch’s resources are jeopardized, and adjusted seasonally to balance forage demand with forage supply. This publication addresses stocking rates on native forages only. Timber Press, Inc. Portland, Oregon. Areas that do not provide forage must be excluded from stocking rate calculations. use GM after provision for livestock capital. About a cow/calf pair per 3 acres. How much forage do you have? At each step of the decision-making process a rancher must balance forage demand with forage supply and ensure economic survival. Do you have a question -or- need to contact an expert? Animal Unit Month (AUM) Beef Cattle Grazing Management Livestock Rangeland Management Stocker Cattle Stocking Rate A rancher can never see exactly how much forage has been or is being produced, because it is constantly growing and continuously being consumed by livestock or lost to other causes. 1991. Proper stocking rates will: 1) produce optimum animal performance; 2) make the ranch profitable; and 3) sustain or improve the range resource. This variation is reflected in the ranch’s profits, because with high stocking rates production costs generally increase at a faster rate than do gross returns (Figure 2). The formula for stocking rate is (Forage Yield (lb/acre) x (Utilization Rate (%)/100)) / AUM. College Station, Texas, pp. 90-1. Stocking Rate: the number of specific kinds and classes of animals grazing or using a unit of land for a specific time period. Hanson, D. and J. W. Stuth. 0000003011 00000 n Each stocking rate increase requires more livestock capital, as cattle are very capital intensive. Effect of long-term, year-long s. grazing at moderate and heavy rates of stocking on diet selection and forage intake dynamics. What Factors Affect Stocking Rate Decisions? But when proper amounts of forage are left ungrazed, rainfall infiltrates the soil and preferred plant species become better established and produce more forage than if grazed too closely. Ranchers can achieve good grazing distribution and more uniform use of all available forage species by grazing adapted animal species and by properly locating fences, water and minerals. In Heitschmidt, R. K. and J.W. It is typically expressed as acres per animal unit. Livestock stocking rate impacts not only a livestock operation and operation economics, but impacts wildlife habitat as well. Range Term Glossary Committee. This effect is magnified by price penalties for slower growth or poorer finish. My land can support my 100 cows for 2.65 months (utilizable lbs forage ÷ lbs of feed consumed per month) 272,000 ÷ 102,720 = 2.65 months . McGinty, Key to A. and L. D. White. How heavy you stock the field will determine how well the cows do,” says Stalker. 11. Generally, stocking rate is expressed as “animal units” for a given amount of land. 0000012313 00000 n Disturbance and nutritional stability of a thornshrub community. If the overall cattle market is high (like in 2014), the optimal hay feeding hays will shift upward (you will want a higher stocking rate). A mixture of modified distillers grains with solubles and ground cornstalks was provided daily and fed at a rate designed to replace approximately 50% of the grazed forage, thus allowing for the doubling of the recommended stocking rate. The minimum residue levels needed to sustain production are 300 to 500, 750 to 1,000 and 1,200 to 1,500 pounds per acre (oven dry weight) of shortgrasses, midgrasses and tallgrasses, respectively. Stocking rates are often expressed in AUs/unit area (links to Animal Unit). Stocking rate is defined as the area of land which the operator has allotted to each animal unit for the entire grazable period of the year (Range Term Glos- sary Committee, 1974). This is always the same number, .04, or 4%. This figure is used because livestock need to have 4% of their weight in forage each day (2.5-3% intake, .5 trampling loss and .5-1% buffer). Estimates of this average stocking rate can be obtained by conducting range condition surveys (McGinty and White, 1991). As stated above, the most important decision for successful range management is setting a proper stocking rate. For example, if the total forage supply is 1,200 pounds per acre, only 450 pounds per acre is available for consumption ( 1,200-750 = 450). My paddocks range from 3-8 acres accordingly to the terrain and how I could access the water system. A rancher wanting to leave 750 pounds per acre of threshold residue must subtract this quantity from the total forage supply to determine the forage available for consumption. The minimum forage production required for different harvest efficiencies and stocking rates can be determined from Table 1. How does a rancher determine the quantity of forage he has and is likely to produce in coming months? This approach is termed early-intensive double stocking and is used widely in the Kansas Flint Hills as a management practice to maintain health and vigor of native tallgrass range in that environment. About stocking rates, including identifying and implementing stocking rates require earlier removal cattle. 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