Are you a beef cattle farmer in Australia wondering how many cows you can keep per acre of pasture?
The answer is not as simple as one cow per acre. There are various factors to consider, such as the type of pasture, the energy requirements of your cattle, and your management practices.
In this article, we will explore the different rules of thumb for stocking rates, the benefits of rotational grazing, and the results of a grazing trial conducted in the coastal Burnett.
By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how to determine the optimal number of beef cattle per acre for your farm.
How Many Beef Cattle Per Acre Australia?
The general rule of thumb for stocking rates in Australia is 0.5 to 1.1 cows per acre on average pasture. However, this is just a minimum requirement and should not be taken as an absolute. The actual number of cows you can keep per acre will depend on various factors such as the type of pasture, the energy requirements of your cattle, and your management practices.
For instance, a cow/calf pair will typically require closer to two acres, while the daily utilization rate for livestock is commonly referenced at 4%, meaning livestock need to intake 4% of their body weight daily. These rules of thumb are helpful to reference when considering how many cows per acre, but they are not absolute.
To determine the optimal number of beef cattle per acre for your farm, you need to consider the carrying capacity of your land. The carrying capacity is the number of cattle or sheep you should put into a paddock based on its carrying capacity. You can use a stocking rate calculator to estimate this number.
To estimate the carrying capacity of an area of land over a season, you need to know the metabolise energy requirements (ME) of the standard stock unit and the available metabolisable energy of the pasture type on offer. For example, one animal equivalent (AE) has a daily energy requirement of 73 MJ ME/day, which equates to the consumption of 9.37 kg of dry matter (DM) per day.
The sustainable utilisation rate (% of biomass that can be consumed) of rangeland pastures is usually 30% or less. So a pasture with 200 kg DM/ha, and 30% utilisation would provide 60 kg of usable DM/ha. This means that one AE needing 3419 kg of forage per year needs a land area of (3419/60) 56.9 ha or a stocking rate of (100/56.9) 1.76 AE/km2 per year.
Rotational grazing may increase the cows-per-acre rate up to 30% compared to traditional grazing. However, rotational grazing techniques require at least two paddocks and are usually more expensive.
From 1999 to 2002, a grazing trial was conducted on a commercial property in the coastal Burnett. The aim of this trial was to investigate the impact stocking rate has on the density of desirable native grasses in paddocks that have become dominated by blue couch.
In this trial, they split a commercial paddock (dominated by blue couch) into two paddocks of roughly equal size. One paddock was managed at a stocking rate typical for the area while in the other, they reduced the stocking rate by up to half.
The results showed that with the first draft, there was a better return per hectare for the heavily stocked paddock. However, as all the steers in the speargrass paddock graded Jap Ox, there was a 15¢/kg premium for these steers.
By the time the second draft went through, the heavily stocked paddock was starting to lose condition and required numbers to be reduced. Even without a price premium, it was obvious that the lighter stocked paddock resulted in a better gross margin.
Factors To Consider When Determining Stocking Rates
When determining stocking rates for beef cattle in Australia, there are several factors to consider. These include:
1. Pasture type: Different types of pasture have varying carrying capacities. For instance, improved pastures generally have higher carrying capacities than native pastures.
2. Energy requirements of your cattle: The energy requirements of your cattle will depend on factors such as their age, gender, pregnancy/lactation status, and body weight. It is important to ensure that the energy requirements of your cattle are met to maintain optimal health and productivity.
3. Management practices: Your management practices can also affect stocking rates. For example, rotational grazing can increase the number of cows per acre compared to traditional grazing, but it requires more paddocks and can be more expensive.
4. Carrying capacity of your land: The carrying capacity of your land is the number of cattle or sheep you should put into a paddock based on its carrying capacity. You can use a stocking rate calculator to estimate this number.
5. Sustainable utilisation rate: The sustainable utilisation rate is the percentage of biomass that can be consumed by livestock without degrading the pasture. This rate is usually 30% or less for rangeland pastures.
6. Seasonal conditions: Seasonal conditions such as temperature and rainfall can affect the carrying capacity of your land.
7. Local and specialist advice: It is recommended to seek local and specialist advice to get accurate stocking rate and grazing pressure estimates for your specific location and circumstances.
By considering these factors, you can determine the optimal number of beef cattle per acre for your farm while ensuring sustainable pastoralism practices.
Rules Of Thumb For Stocking Rates In Australia
When it comes to stocking rates in Australia, there are some general rules of thumb that can be helpful in determining how many beef cattle per acre you can keep on your land. The usual measure is dry sheep equivalents (DSE) per hectare (ha), but it can also be expressed in terms of cattle per unit area, such as breeders (cattle) per ha or square kilometre.
The general rule of thumb is 0.5 to 1.1 cows per acre on average pasture. However, this should not be taken as an absolute and may depend on various factors such as the type of pasture, the energy requirements of your cattle, and your management practices.
A cow/calf pair will typically require closer to two acres, while the daily utilization rate for livestock is commonly referenced at 4%, meaning livestock need to intake 4% of their body weight daily. These rules of thumb are helpful to reference when considering how many cows per acre, but they are not absolute.
Rotational grazing may increase the cows-per-acre rate up to 30% compared to traditional grazing. However, rotational grazing techniques require at least two paddocks and are usually more expensive.
To determine the optimal number of beef cattle per acre for your farm, you need to consider the carrying capacity of your land. The carrying capacity is the number of cattle or sheep you should put into a paddock based on its carrying capacity. You can use a stocking rate calculator to estimate this number.
In general, it is important to consider factors such as soil quality, management intensity, and cow size when determining the stocking rate for your land. Two acres of gently rolling Maury Silt loam in central Kentucky combined with well-managed rotational grazing will provide a lot more grazing than two acres of steep hillside Eden Shale clay combined with continuous grazing. Cow size will also have an impact. You can run a lot more moderate-framed 1200 lb cows on a given farm then you can 1800 lb behemoths.
The Benefits Of Rotational Grazing For Beef Cattle
Rotational grazing is a method of grazing that involves creating small paddocks with temporary fencing that your cows will only spend 1-2 days in. The key is managing the system closely enough to give the pasture enough time to recover fully before it is grazed again. When managed properly, there are several benefits to using rotational grazing for beef cattle.
Firstly, rotational grazing increases grazing efficiency and utilization of forage. In traditional continuous grazing, forage utilization is estimated to be between 25-35%. However, with rotational grazing, utilization can increase up to 65% in well-managed controlled grazing rotations. This means that more of the available forage is being used by the cattle, resulting in higher productivity and less waste.
Secondly, rotational grazing allows for higher stocking rates. By decreasing acreage needed per cow/calf pair, producers can expand their herd and sell more calves over time. This increase in stocking rates can be up to double compared to continuous grazing.
Thirdly, rotational grazing can lead to better soil health and nutrient cycling. As the cattle graze in small paddocks for short periods of time, they deposit manure and urine in concentrated areas. This results in a more even distribution of nutrients across the pasture and can lead to healthier soil and increased plant growth.
Lastly, rotational grazing can be more profitable in the long run. While there may be a higher initial startup cost, it can lead to sustained livestock on the same unit of grassland, resulting in higher productivity and profits over time. The investment cost of rotational grazing will depend on the size of the grazing unit, but it has been shown to be more cost-effective on larger ranches.
Results Of A Grazing Trial In The Coastal Burnett
The grazing trial conducted in the coastal Burnett from 1999 to 2002 aimed to investigate the impact of stocking rate on the density of desirable native grasses in paddocks dominated by blue couch. The trial split a commercial paddock into two paddocks of roughly equal size, with one paddock managed at a typical stocking rate for the area and the other with a reduced stocking rate by up to half.
During the first draft, there was a better return per hectare for the heavily stocked paddock. However, all the steers in the speargrass paddock graded Jap Ox, resulting in a 15¢/kg premium for these steers. When this premium was taken into account, there was not much difference in returns per hectare between the two paddocks.
However, by the time the second draft went through, the heavily stocked paddock was starting to lose condition and required numbers to be reduced. Even without a price premium, it was evident that the lighter stocked paddock resulted in a better gross margin.
These results highlight the importance of considering various factors when determining the optimal stocking rate for your land. It is crucial to consider factors such as pasture type, energy requirements of your cattle, and your management practices when determining the carrying capacity of your land.
How To Determine The Optimal Number Of Beef Cattle Per Acre For Your Farm
Determining the optimal number of beef cattle per acre for your farm requires an understanding of the carrying capacity of your land. The carrying capacity refers to the number of cattle or sheep that can be sustainably grazed on a given area of land over a certain period of time.
To estimate the carrying capacity of your land, you can use a stocking rate calculator. This tool takes into account factors such as the metabolisable energy requirements of your cattle and the available metabolisable energy of the pasture type on offer.
For example, one animal equivalent (AE) has a daily energy requirement of 73 MJ ME/day, which equates to the consumption of 9.37 kg of dry matter (DM) per day. The sustainable utilisation rate (% of biomass that can be consumed) of rangeland pastures is usually 30% or less. So a pasture with 200 kg DM/ha, and 30% utilisation would provide 60 kg of usable DM/ha. This means that one AE needing 3419 kg of forage per year needs a land area of (3419/60) 56.9 ha or a stocking rate of (100/56.9) 1.76 AE/km2 per year.
It’s important to keep in mind that the actual number of cows you can keep per acre will depend on various factors such as the type of pasture, the energy requirements of your cattle, and your management practices. Rotational grazing techniques may increase the cows-per-acre rate up to 30% compared to traditional grazing, but they require at least two paddocks and are usually more expensive.
In addition, it’s worth noting that stocking rates should not be taken as absolutes. Many factors around your management, your cows, and your land will influence the stocking rate (number of cows) on your land. Therefore, it’s important to regularly monitor and adjust your stocking rate to ensure optimal performance and sustainability for both your cattle and your land.