Pasture Stocking Rate Calculator
How many head can your paddock carry? Free, accurate, built on Australian data.
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📚 Methodology + sources
Formula
total feed = (start cover − end cover + growth × days) × paddock size
stocking rate per class = total feed ÷ days ÷ pasture allowance per head per day
Industry-standard feed-budget approach used across Australian extension publications. Pasture allowance per head per day is the daily feed each animal class needs to maintain weight on typical AU pasture (kg DM/head/day).
Pasture allowance values used
Beef: 200kg steer 8 · 400kg steer 12 · 500kg steer 14 · Dry cow (450kg) 10 · Cow with calf 14 · Lactating cow (5 mo) 20 · Heifer 9 · Bull 16 · Weaner 6.
Sheep: Dry ewe 1.1 · Pregnant ewe 1.7–2.0 · Ewe + single lamb 3.0 · Ewe + twins 3.3 · Weaner 1.3 · Ram 2.2.
Goats: Dry doe 0.9–1.1 · Lactating doe 1.8–2.2 · Buck 1.7 · Weaner kid 0.8.
Source material
Numbers drawn from publicly available Australian agricultural extension publications and research, including state primary-industries departments, regional natural-resource bodies, and industry guides. Figures are typical-year estimates — your specific paddock and management will vary.
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