Calculate how many days a paddock will last based on pasture mass, area, and stock numbers. Plan rotational grazing and avoid running out of feed.
Quick answer: Grazing days = (Pasture mass × Area) ÷ (Daily intake × Stock numbers). Example: 1,500 kg DM/ha × 10 ha = 15,000 kg ÷ (100 sheep × 1.5kg) = 100 days.
📅 Calculate Grazing Days
Average daily dry matter consumption per animal
Total head in this paddock
Grazable hectares
Current available pasture — use plate meter or ruler
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Grazing Days Remaining
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Total Daily Intake (kg)
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Available Pasture (kg)
📐 How Grazing Days Are Calculated
Available Pasture = Pasture mass (kg DM/ha) × Area (ha) × Utilisation % Daily Intake = Animals × Daily intake per animal Grazing Days = Available Pasture ÷ Daily Intake
Measure pasture mass — using plate meter or pasture ruler
Calculate total available feed — multiply by paddock area
Calculate daily herd intake — animals × daily intake per head
Divide available by daily intake — gives days before moving
📊 Worked Example
10 ha paddock with 1,500 kg DM/ha. 100 sheep eating 1.2 kg DM/day. Utilisation 70% (leave 30% residual).
Available = 1,500 × 10 × 0.70 = 10,500 kg Daily intake = 100 × 1.2 = 120 kg/day Grazing days = 10,500 ÷ 120 = 87 days
After 87 days, move sheep to next paddock. Pasture residual will be ~450 kg DM/ha (30% of 1,500).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Grazing days = (Pasture mass × Area × Utilisation) ÷ (Stock intake × Number of animals). Example: 1,500 kg DM/ha × 10 ha = 15,000 kg ÷ (100 sheep × 1.5kg) = 100 days.
Cattle: 2.5-3.5% of body weight (500kg cow eats 12-15kg). Sheep: 1-1.5kg. Goats: 0.8-1.2kg. Horses: 2-2.5% of body weight.
Use a rising plate meter or pasture ruler. Take 20-30 readings across the paddock. Multiply average height (cm) by a calibration factor (e.g., 200 kg DM/cm).
Stop grazing at 800-1,000 kg DM/ha for perennial grass (4-5cm). Below this, regrowth slows. Rotational grazing aims to use 50-60% of available pasture before moving.