Feed and land tool

Pasture Stocking and Rotation Planner

Estimate forage demand and sketch a paddock rotation from local production data, while keeping uncertainty visible.

Two acres of productive irrigated pasture and two acres of dry, compacted ground do not provide the same amount of forage.

Property

State or region Total grazeable acres

Number of paddocks Local seasonal forage production, lb dry matter per acre optionalUse an extension, NRCS or measured estimate. Without it, grazing days cannot be calculated responsibly.

Acreage for each paddock optional, comma separatedEnter one positive acreage for each paddock. Leave blank to divide the total acres evenly for the sketch.

Pasture condition Water and soil

Planned utilization, percent Desired residual height, inches

Planned rest period, days Months used for grazing

Horses and management

Number of horses Average weight, pounds

Hours turned out per day Pasture role

Additional livestock demand, lb dry matter per day optional

Dry lot or sacrifice area available Supplemental hay provided

Seasonal, mud, drought, drainage or manure notes

How this is calculated

Forage supply, not acres alone, sets the limit.

This educational estimate uses two percent of bodyweight per day as total dry matter demand, then applies the pasture share you selected and adds other livestock demand. Available forage equals local dry matter production per acre times grazeable acres and your utilization percentage. Rest, regrowth, residual height, drought, irrigation, mud and winter dormancy still require observation.

If you do not know local forage production, contact your county extension or NRCS office. The tool will show demand but will not manufacture a grazing days result.

Sources

Guidance last reviewed August 24, 2026.