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🌿 Pasture Growth Calculator — kg DM per Hectare per Day

Measure pasture growth rate to plan grazing rotations and feed budgets. Track seasonal growth patterns and match stocking rates.

Quick answer: Growth rate = (Current mass − Previous mass) ÷ Days. Spring peak: 80-120 kg DM/ha/day. Winter: 5-20 kg. Below 20 kg/ha/day = feed deficit.

🌿 Calculate Pasture Growth Rate

Measurement from first date
Measurement from second date
Number of days between grazing
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Growth Rate (kg DM/ha/day)
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Weekly Growth
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Monthly Growth

📐 How Pasture Growth Is Calculated

Growth rate = (Current mass − Previous mass) ÷ Days between measurements
Weekly growth = Growth rate × 7
Monthly growth = Growth rate × 30
  1. Measure pasture mass — using plate meter or quadrat
  2. Record measurement date — after grazing or at regular interval
  3. Calculate difference — subtract previous mass from current
  4. Divide by days — gives average daily growth rate
  5. Compare to demand — adjust stocking if growth < intake

📊 Worked Example

Pasture mass was 1,800 kg DM/ha 10 days ago. Today it's 2,500 kg DM/ha.

Growth rate = (2,500 − 1,800) ÷ 10 = 70 kg DM/ha/day
Weekly growth = 70 × 7 = 490 kg DM/ha/week
Monthly growth = 70 × 30 = 2,100 kg DM/ha/month

At 70 kg/day, this pasture can support 10 DSE/ha (70 ÷ 1.2 = 58 DSE/ha — actually enough for ~58 DSE/ha! This is excellent spring growth.)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Growth rate = (Current mass − Previous mass) ÷ Days between measurements. Example: 2,500 − 1,800 = 700 ÷ 10 = 70 kg DM/ha/day.

Spring peak: 80-120 kg DM/ha/day, Summer: 20-50 kg, Autumn: 30-70 kg, Winter: 5-20 kg. Irrigated: 80-150 kg year-round.

Use a rising plate meter. Take 30-50 readings per paddock. Multiply average height by calibration factor (e.g., 200 kg DM/cm). Or cut and dry quadrat samples.

Required growth = Stocking rate (DSE/ha) × Daily intake (kg DM/DSE). Example: 10 DSE/ha × 1.2 kg = 12 kg DM/ha/day needed. If growth is below, reduce stocking.

🔗 Related Calculators

📅 Grazing Days🐄 Stocking Rate🌾 Livestock Feed