Cattle Stocking Rate Calculator
Free cattle stocking rate calculator. Determine carrying capacity, animal unit months (AUM), recommended head counts, and acres per animal unit based on pasture size and forage production.
Pasture Information
Forage Production
Grazing Management
Current Herd (Optional)
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Optimize Your Pasture Carrying Capacity
Proper stocking rate management is crucial for sustainable ranching, pasture health, and livestock performance. Our calculator helps you determine optimal cattle numbers based on pasture size, forage production, and grazing management practices using industry-standard Animal Unit (AU) and Animal Unit Month (AUM) calculations.
Understanding Stocking Rate Calculations
Stocking rate is the relationship between the number of animals and the land area they graze. It's typically expressed as Animal Units (AU) per acre or acres per AU. An Animal Unit is defined as one 1,000-pound cow with a calf, consuming approximately 26 pounds of dry matter forage per day (780 lbs per month). The goal is to match livestock demand to forage supply.
Carrying Capacity Formula
Recommended AUs = (Pasture Acres × Forage/Acre × Utilization%) ÷ (Forage/AUM × Grazing Months)Why Calculate Stocking Rate?
Pasture Health
Prevent overgrazing that damages root systems, reduces plant vigor, and promotes weed invasion.
Animal Performance
Ensure adequate forage availability for optimal weight gain, milk production, and reproduction.
Economic Returns
Maximize profit by balancing animal numbers with available forage resources.
Environmental Stewardship
Maintain healthy ecosystems, prevent soil erosion, and protect water quality.
How to Use This Calculator
Common Applications
Cow-Calf Operations
Determine how many cow-calf pairs your pasture can sustainably support throughout the grazing season.
Stocker Programs
Calculate stocking rates for growing cattle with different weight classes and performance goals.
Rotational Grazing
Plan paddock sizes and rotation schedules based on carrying capacity and rest periods.
Drought Planning
Adjust stocking rates when forage production is reduced due to weather conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
An Animal Unit is a standardized measure representing one 1,000-pound mature cow with calf at her side. Other animal classes are expressed as AU equivalents: stockers (600 lbs) = 0.6 AU, bulls (1,250 lbs) = 1.25 AU, replacement heifers (800 lbs) = 0.8 AU.