Matching grazing pressure to feed supply

Estimating feed supply is an important part of determining stocking rate. The amount of feed available will depend on a range of factors, including: 

• land units and the land system 
• seasonal conditions 
• land condition, how well the land is managed and how responsive the system is to rainfall 
• different plant communities 
• diversity of plant species. 

Animal production depends on quantity and quality of forage available. During periods of active growth, green grasses and forbs with a high digestibility provide energy and protein to sustain higher levels of animal production. As these plants mature and become more fibrous, digestibility and the amount of metabolisable energy and protein decreases, resulting in lower levels of production. The amount of forage required to meet requirements increases as quality decreases, and poor-quality feed may not be adequate to maintain some classes of sheep. 

Utilisation rate is the proportion of pasture available grazed by the animals present. Managing utilisation rate is an important part of grazing land management, particularly so in pastoral areas where vegetation communities are diverse yet fragile if not managed well. Utilisation rate has a direct impact on both land condition and diet quality. Hence, effective grazing management should focus on:  

• improving land condition 
• improving the evenness of utilisation  
• improving diet quality of the animals grazing.