Cow Days Per AcreCalculator

Cow equivalents (also known as animal units) are a standardized way to measure grazing impact across different types of livestock. A 1,000 lb cow that is mature, healthy, and non-lactating is the baseline (1.0), while other animals are weighted based on their relative grazing impact. For example, lactating dairy cows and bulls are 1.5 cow equivalents due to their larger size, while young calves are 0.2 due to their smaller size and grazing impact.

Sheep and cattle complement each other quite nicely in a rotational grazing system. They can graze together with no issues, granted your electric and perimeter fence covers the heights of both animals. Cattle favor grass while sheep prefer forbs and broadleaf plants. This enhances pasture utilization and plant biodiversity.

For effective pasture management, allow 30-45 days of rest between grazing periods. Graze grass to about 25% of its full height, avoiding both overgrazing or excessive growth, which can hinder livestock and pasture development.

Move livestock at least every 2 days to reduce parasite pressure. Frequent moves break the parasite lifecycle by preventing animals from grazing areas with high egg and larvae concentrations. This natural parasite management strategy can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for chemical dewormers. This is not medical or veterinary advice.