Cattle Per Acre Calculator

Calculate optimal cattle stocking rates per acre based on pasture quality and forage production.

Pasture Information

Typical range: 2,000-8,000 lbs/acre/year

days

Results

Enter pasture information to calculate stocking rate

Stocking Rate Guidelines

Factors Affecting Stocking Rate

  • • Forage production and quality
  • • Soil type and fertility
  • • Climate and rainfall
  • • Grazing management practices
  • • Cattle breed and size

General Guidelines

  • • Excellent pasture: 1-2 AU/acre
  • • Good pasture: 0.5-1 AU/acre
  • • Fair pasture: 0.25-0.5 AU/acre
  • • Poor pasture: 0.1-0.25 AU/acre
  • • AU = Animal Unit (1000 lb cow)