Calculateur de Charge Pastorale
Calculez combien de bétail votre pâturage peut supporter. Obtenez la capacité de charge, la durée de pâturage et les plans de pâturage tournant.
Production fourragère annuelle : 4,000 lb de matière sèche/acre
Utilisation équilibrée pour les systèmes de pâturage continu typiques.
| Type de bétail | Poids moy. | Équivalent UA | Fourrage mensuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovins (vache-veau) | 1,000 lbs | 1 | 780 lbs |
| Bovins (engraissement) | 600 lbs | 0.7 | 546 lbs |
| Moutons | 150 lbs | 0.2 | 156 lbs |
| Chèvres | 120 lbs | 0.17 | 133 lbs |
| Chevaux | 1,100 lbs | 1.25 | 975 lbs |
| Porcs (au pâturage) | 250 lbs | 0.4 | 312 lbs |
Les équivalents d'unité animale (UA) sont basés sur une vache standard de 1 000 lb égale à 1,0 UA.
| Région fourragère | Rendement annuel | UA par acre |
|---|---|---|
| Sud-Est des États-Unis (humide) | 5,000 | 0.27 |
| Midwest des États-Unis (prairie à hautes herbes) | 4,000 | 0.21 |
| Grandes Plaines (herbes mixtes) | 2,500 | 0.13 |
| Ouest aride (parcours) | 1,200 | 0.06 |
| Nord-Ouest Pacifique | 4,500 | 0.24 |
| Nord-Est des États-Unis | 3,500 | 0.19 |
Les rendements fourragers sont des moyennes régionales — la production réelle varie selon le sol, les précipitations et les pratiques de gestion.
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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