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🐄 Stocking Rate Calculator — DSE per Hectare

Calculate your farm's carrying capacity in Dry Sheep Equivalents (DSE) per hectare. Determine how many cattle, sheep, or goats your pasture can sustainably support.

Quick answer: Stocking rate (DSE/ha) = Total DSE ÷ Total hectares. 1 cow = 8 DSE, 1 sheep = 1 DSE. Example: 100 cows (800 DSE) on 200 ha = 4 DSE/ha — moderate for 500mm rainfall.

🐄 Calculate Stocking Rate

Total head of this animal type
Total grazeable hectares
—
Stocking Rate (DSE/ha)
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Total DSE on Farm
—
Head per Hectare

📐 How Stocking Rate Is Calculated

Total DSE = Number of Animals × DSE per Animal
Stocking Rate (DSE/ha) = Total DSE ÷ Grazeable Hectares
Head per Hectare = Number of Animals ÷ Hectares
  1. Convert animals to DSE — standardises different animal types
  2. Calculate total DSE — sum DSE for all animals on farm
  3. Divide by grazeable hectares — excludes buildings, roads, water
  4. Compare to rainfall-based benchmarks — adjust stocking up or down

📊 Worked Example

A 200-hectare farm runs 80 cows (8 DSE each) and 200 sheep (1 DSE each).

Total DSE = (80 × 8) + (200 × 1) = 640 + 200 = 840 DSE
Stocking rate = 840 ÷ 200 = 4.2 DSE/ha
Head per hectare = (80 + 200) ÷ 200 = 1.4 head/ha

At 4.2 DSE/ha, this farm is moderately stocked for 500-600mm rainfall. Good ground cover should be maintained.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Stocking rate = Total DSE ÷ Total hectares. DSE standardises animals: 1 cow = 8 DSE, 1 sheep = 1 DSE. Example: 100 cows (800 DSE) on 200 ha = 4 DSE/ha.

400-600mm rainfall: 4-8 DSE/ha, 600-800mm: 8-14 DSE/ha, 800mm+: 14-25 DSE/ha. Irrigated: 20-40 DSE/ha. Start conservative.

1 cow = 8 DSE, 1 cow+calf = 12 DSE, 1 sheep = 1 DSE, 1 goat = 1 DSE, 1 horse = 10 DSE, 1 kangaroo = 0.5 DSE.

Overstocking reduces ground cover, increases erosion, reduces pasture regeneration, lowers animal growth rates, and makes the farm drought-vulnerable. Maintain 70-80% ground cover.

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