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STOCKING RATE

Learn about stocking rate definition, importance, and factors affecting optimum stocking rate for maximum animal production and pasture growth. Explore the effects on different types of livestock and grass species.

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STOCKING RATE

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  1. STOCKING RATE

  2. Definition The number or biomass of animals stocked in a unit of land

  3. Stocking rate units • 5 cattle/ha • 5 KK cattle/ha • 5 sheep/ha • 5 animal units/ha (1 a.u. = one 2-year old cattle) • 1000 kg biomass/ha

  4. Importance of stocking rate • Understocked (stocking rate too low) • The feed supply is not used to capacity • Pastures become mature and uneven • The farmer does not get maximum returns

  5. Overstocked (stocking rate too high) • Animals get inadequate feed • Pastures get too short and overgrazed • The farmer does not get maximum returns

  6. Optimum Stocking Rate The stocking rate which will give maximum animal production while sustaining pasture growth

  7. Factors determining optimum stocking rate • Type of pasture • Fertilizer input • Type of animals • Climate • Availability of supplementary feed

  8. Response of animals to stocking rate • Production per animal • Declines with increasing stocking rate • The decline is linear • Production per hectare • Increases with increasing s.r. up to a maximum then declines • The response is quadratic

  9. Yh = aX – bX2 Ya= a -bX

  10. Optimum stocking rate Y= a – bX Where Y=LWG per head X=stocking rate Optimum stocking rate = a/2b

  11. Y=a-bX • a = intercept • the maximum output per animal • Reflects the quality of pasture • High quality pastures have high value of a • b = slope • The decline in animal output with increase in stocking rate • Reflects quantity of pasture • Productive pastures have low value of b

  12. Optimum Stocking Rates for Beef Cattle

  13. Optimum Stocking Rate Dairy Cattle S/F = Sahiwal Friesian cross

  14. Optimum Stocking Rates for Goats and Sheep

  15. Effects of stocking rate, N fertilizer and grass species on animal production

  16. Effects of stocking rate on yield and composition of grass pasture

  17. END

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