Calculadora de Carga de Pastoreo
Calcule cuántos animales puede soportar su pradera. Obtenga capacidad de carga, duración de pastoreo y planes de pastoreo rotacional.
Producción anual de forraje: 4,000 lbs de materia seca/acre
Utilización equilibrada para sistemas típicos de pastoreo continuo.
| Tipo de ganado | Peso promedio | Equivalente en UA | Forraje mensual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ganado vacuno (vaca-ternero) | 1,000 lbs | 1 | 780 lbs |
| Ganado vacuno (engorde) | 600 lbs | 0.7 | 546 lbs |
| Ovejas | 150 lbs | 0.2 | 156 lbs |
| Cabras | 120 lbs | 0.17 | 133 lbs |
| Caballos | 1,100 lbs | 1.25 | 975 lbs |
| Cerdos (a pastoreo) | 250 lbs | 0.4 | 312 lbs |
Los equivalentes de Unidad Animal (UA) se basan en una vaca estándar de 1,000 lb como 1.0 UA.
| Región de forraje | Rendimiento anual | UA por acre |
|---|---|---|
| Sureste de EE. UU. (húmedo) | 5,000 | 0.27 |
| Medio Oeste de EE. UU. (pradera de pasto alto) | 4,000 | 0.21 |
| Grandes Llanuras (pasto mixto) | 2,500 | 0.13 |
| Oeste Árido (pastizal) | 1,200 | 0.06 |
| Noroeste del Pacífico | 4,500 | 0.24 |
| Noreste de EE. UU. | 3,500 | 0.19 |
Los rendimientos de forraje son promedios regionales — la producción real varía según el suelo, las lluvias y las prácticas de manejo.
Understanding Stocking Rate
Stocking rate is the number of animals grazing a given area for a specific time. It's the most important management decision a livestock producer makes — overstock and you degrade pasture, understock and you leave money on the table.
The standard unit is the Animal Unit (AU): one 1,000-lb cow with calf consuming about 780 lbs of dry forage per month. Other livestock are expressed as fractions: sheep ≈ 0.2 AU, goats ≈ 0.17 AU, horses ≈ 1.25 AU.
Carrying Capacity by Region
| Region | Forage (lbs/acre) | ~Acres per Cow |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast US | 5,000 | 2–3 |
| Midwest (tall-grass) | 4,000 | 2–4 |
| Great Plains (mixed) | 2,500 | 4–8 |
| Arid West | 1,200 | 8–15 |
| Pacific NW | 4,500 | 2–4 |
Rotational Grazing Basics
Dividing pasture into paddocks and rotating livestock through them allows each paddock rest time for regrowth. The “take half, leave half” rule (50% utilization) is the gold standard. With 8 paddocks grazed 3–4 days each, rest periods reach 21–28 days — enough for full recovery in most climates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cows can I run per acre?
It varies by region. In productive Southeast pasture (5,000 lbs forage/acre), about 1 cow per 2 acres. In the arid West (1,200 lbs/acre), you may need 8–10 acres per cow.
What is an Animal Unit Month (AUM)?
An AUM is the forage needed for one 1,000-lb cow with calf for one month — about 780 lbs of dry matter. Sheep are ~0.2 AU, horses ~1.25 AU.
What utilization rate should I use?
50% is the standard (“take half, leave half”). This maintains pasture health and root reserves. Going above 65% risks overgrazing.
How does rotational grazing improve capacity?
Rotational grazing can increase carrying capacity 25–50% vs. continuous grazing by allowing paddocks adequate rest for regrowth.
How many paddocks do I need?
Minimum 4, ideally 8–12. More paddocks = longer rest periods. With 8 paddocks grazed 3–4 days each, rest periods reach 21–28 days.
Measure Your Pasture by GPS
LandLens measures pasture area, paddock boundaries, and fence lines with GPS precision — right from your phone.
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