Stocking Rate and Grazing Management, MF-1118 Click on the image above to download a complete copy of this publication in PDF format. Download a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Steve L. Watson Extension Assistant Agronomy Grazing management is the art of integrating animals, feed, and other inputs with land, labor, and capital resources. In this publication, land includes rangeland, tame pasture, annual forages, and crop residues.
Capital includes cash, other assets that can be easily converted into cash, and available credit.
The goal of grazing management is to market a valuable product at a profit, while maintaining or improving the productivity of grazing land resources. Grazing management relies on several principles and practices. Of these, stocking rate has the largest impact on both animal performance and forage resources. Understanding grazing management principles is one of the keys to the ultimate profitability of the operation. Stocking Rate Stocking rate is defined as the land area allocated to each grazing animal for a specific length of time.