Resources / Beef / Stocking rate
Beef · Land & pasture · Grazing

Stocking rate

15 DSE/ha season avg

The total grazing pressure of all stock over a season, standardising diverse animal classes into a comparable unit (AE or DSE). With seasonal breeding, grazing pressure builds through the growing season as calves grow and trading stock are carried, then eases as stock are sold.

Worked example · DSE/ha by stock class · Jan–Dec
Cow Calf Weaner Steer J F M A M J J A S O N D
DSE/ha by stock class · Jan–Dec
The benchmark

South-west Victorian beef enterprises average 15.6 DSE/ha (roughly 2 AE/ha); the most profitable reach 20.6 DSE/ha.

EverGraze / SW Farm Monitor ↗
What it signals

It lets you compare the carrying capacity of different paddocks and match total herd feed demand to your land’s actual pasture production across the year.

Data required to calculate
Stock by classno.Usable grazing areahaRegional AE/DSE rating tableAE/DSE

Silo pulls each of these from the sources the operation already uses, and keeps the figure current automatically.

How to improve it
01

Implement rotational grazing to lift pasture utilisation and carrying capacity.

02

Segregate and prioritise mobs ahead of changes in seasonal conditions.

03

Identify unusable pasture viable for rehabilitation and invest in it.

Questions & answers

What is stocking rate?

The total grazing pressure of all stock over a season, standardising diverse animal classes into a comparable unit (AE or DSE). With seasonal breeding, grazing pressure builds through the growing season as calves grow and trading stock are carried, then eases as stock are sold.

What data do you need to calculate stocking rate?

You need: Stock by class (no.), Usable grazing area (ha), Regional AE/DSE rating table (AE/DSE). Silo pulls each of these from the sources the operation already uses and keeps the figure current automatically.

What is a good stocking rate benchmark?

South-west Victorian beef enterprises average 15.6 DSE/ha (roughly 2 AE/ha); the most profitable reach 20.6 DSE/ha.

How do you improve stocking rate?

Implement rotational grazing to lift pasture utilisation and carrying capacity. Segregate and prioritise mobs ahead of changes in seasonal conditions. Identify unusable pasture viable for rehabilitation and invest in it.

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