Planning Procedures For Continuous Stocking Methods
Step 1. Estimate The Total Forage Requirement
Estimating the forage requirement for the continuous stocking method is the same procedure as for the rotational stocking method.
ANIMAL WEIGHT X .025 OR .03 = DAILY FORAGE REQUIREMENT/ANIMAL
To determine the DAILY HERD/FLOCK FORAGE REQUIREMENT multiply the per animal daily forage requirement by the number of animals.
FORAGE REQUIREMENT/ANIMAL/DAY X NUMBER OF ANIMALS = DAILY
HERD/FLOCK FORAGE REQUIREMENT
Step 2. Estimate The Forage Available For Grazing
The amount of forage available for grazing with the continuous stocking method is based on the total hay yield in Tons/Acre/Year minus 40% for losses due to trampling, fouling with manure and urine, and reduced growth. Table 4 is a chart that estimates the amount of forage predicted to be available for grazing based on grass-legume hay yield estimates.
TABLE 4: FORAGE AVAILABILITY ESTIMATES FOR USE WITH
CONTINUOUS STOCKING METHODS
Hay Yield
Tons/Acre/Year
5.5
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
Forage Availability
Pounds/Acre/Year
6600
6000
5400
4800
4200
3600
3000
Step 3. Determine The Grazing Period
In most parts of the northeast, the period of grazing will range between 150 to 215 days depending on the local environmental conditions.
Step 4. Calculate the Number of Acres Required
The number of acres required for a continuous stocking grazing plan is based on having enough forage available to meet the season-long forage requirement. It is calculated by multiplying the daily herd/flock forage requirement by the expected grazing period and dividing this number by the forage availability factor selected in step 2.
(DAILY HERD/FLOCK FORAGE REQUIREMENT) X NUMBER OF DAYS IN THE GRAZING PERIOD) / FORAGE SUPPLY = NUMBER OF ACRES NEEDED
See Appendix 2 for a prescribed grazing management plan worksheet to be used with continuous stocking methods.