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Prescribed/Managed Grazing Plan Worksheet
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Rotational Stocking Method
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Name:
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Step 1. Estimate The Forage Demand:
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The forage demand is the amount of forage dry matter (DM) required to feed the herd/flock for one day.
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It is calculated based on the rule of thumb that grazing animals need to have daily access to approximately 4%
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of their live weight in forage (2.5% intake, 0.5% trampling loss, 1% buffer). This figure may be adjusted
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depending on specific animal needs or pasture management techniques or if you are willing to supplement
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hay or grain during periods of low production.
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Livestock to be Grazed
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Kind of LivestockClass # of HeadAvg. Weight lbsHerd Weight lbs
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Beef Cow + calf141,250 17,500
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Own Yearling Calf13800 10,304
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Purchased Yearling Calf0650 0
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Own 2 Year old01000 0
You will want to sell these off in January to keep expenses minimal
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Purchased 2 year old01000 0
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Bull11500 1,500
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Stockers0700 0
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Total # of Head =28
Herd Weight =
29304
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Avg. Weight = 1051
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28
1051x .03 to .04 = 32x28
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Average weight/animal (lb.) Lb. DM/head/day
Lb. DM/head/day
# of Animals
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0.03
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Total Forage Demand=879lb./day
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Step 2. Estimate the Forage Supply:
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This is the amount of forage dry matter that is predicted to be available for grazing after a 15 day growth period in the
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spring and a 30 day growth period in the summer and fall. Actual pasture growth rates are extremely variable.
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As a result the numbers presented are for planning purposes only. Optimum growth rates may be longer or shorter
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than those indicated.
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Unless actual measured yields are available, use estimated yields such as NRCS Soils 5 data for grass-legume hay or
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UWEX figures. Use the following table to convert to forage availability on a rotational basis, average over five to
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six rotations.
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Hay Yield - Pound/Acre/Rotation
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Tons/Acre/Year43.532.52
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½ - 3 Day Rotation1600140012001000800
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4 Day Rotation147212881104920736
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5 Day Rotation135411851016846677
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6 Day Rotation12461090934779623
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7 Day Rotation11461003860716573
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Forage Supply=1200
lb./acre/rotation
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Take half/leave half. Be conservative.
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Step 3. Select Residency Period:
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In other words, decide how long you want your livestock to remain in a particular paddock. One to two days is recommended
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for lactating dairy cows, dairy sheep, goats and growing steers; three to seven days for all other livestock. For maximizing
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harvest efficiency, use the shortest residency period indicated for the type of operation.
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Residency Period=1.0days
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Step 4. Determine Paddock Size:
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The paddock size is based on meeting the total forage demand for the number of days of grazing indicated by the residency period.
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879÷1200=0.73x1.0
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Forage DemandForage SupplyResidency Period
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Paddock Size =0.7 acres
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Step 5. Calculate the Number of Paddocks:
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The number of paddocks required is based on meeting the longest regrowth interval recommended, i.e. 30 days.
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30÷1.0=30+1 =
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 Residency Period
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Number of Paddocks Needed
=31
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Step 6. Estimate the Total Number of Acres:
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0.7x31
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 Paddock Size Number of Paddocks
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Number of Acres Planned=22.7
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Number of Acres Available=40
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