Stocking rate — the number of dry sheep equivalents (DSE) or adult equivalents (AE) per hectare — must be matched to your property’s carrying capacity, which itself varies with rainfall, pasture condition, and seasonal conditions. There is no single correct stocking rate.
Calculating carrying capacity
A rough starting point: estimate the available dry matter (DM) on offer (kg DM/ha), apply a 30–40% utilisation factor (leaving the rest for ground cover and recovery), and divide by the daily dry matter demand of your stock class. Example:
- Available DM: 1,200 kg/ha
- At 35% utilisation: 420 kg/ha available for consumption
- A 450 kg cow consumes approximately 10 kg DM/day
- Grazing days per hectare: 420 divided by 10 = 42 days/ha
This is a planning estimate only — actual intake and pasture growth rates must be monitored on the ground.
Seasonal adjustment
Review your stocking rate at least twice per year — before the wet season (November) and at the end of the wet season (April/May in northern regions). Use seasonal climate outlooks (BOM ENSO outlook, rainfall decile forecasts) to inform decisions about building or reducing numbers.
If an El Nino outlook is indicated, reduce stocking proactively rather than waiting until the pasture is visibly degraded. Reactive destocking is more costly and ecologically damaging than early action.
Body condition score as a leading indicator
Monitor body condition score (BCS) on your breeders at least monthly. Declining condition in mid-wet season — before the dry season — is a warning sign of inadequate feed on offer relative to animal demand. Address stocking rate before condition score falls below 2.5 (on a 5-point scale).