Understanding whole farm feed supply

Whole farm feed supply, in simple terms, is the total amount of feed accessible to your livestock over a set timeframe. This concept is crucial for any livestock business, as the number of animals you can effectively manage in a specific area, known as the stocking rate, directly relies on the available feed.​

Understanding your feed supply is essential for sustainable livestock management. It allows farmers to make informed decisions about herd size and ensures that animals have adequate nutrition. Without a clear picture of feed availability, businesses risk overstocking or underfeeding their livestock, which can lead to various problems.

Ultimately, a well-managed whole farm feed supply contributes to the overall health and productivity of your livestock operation. By carefully planning and monitoring feed resources, businesses can optimise their stocking rates and ensure the well-being of their animals throughout the year.

How to calculate whole farm feed supply

Calculating whole farm feed supply is crucial for livestock businesses, as it directly influences the stocking rate—the number of livestock an area can sustain.​

A higher stocking rate, coupled with efficient feed utilisation, often leads to increased profitability. This is because production per hectare, a key driver of profit, is heavily dependent on how effectively feed resources are managed.

To utilise the whole farm feed supply tool effectively, you will need several pieces of information. This includes the farm’s location, the types of pasture present and their respective land areas, annual rainfall in millimetres, and an assessment of the opening pasture inventory in January. Additionally, estimates for pasture utilisation and the anticipated variability in feed supply are required to ensure accurate calculations.

The tool provides several valuable outputs to aid in farm management. It calculates the whole farm feed supply for the year in kilograms of dry matter per hectare and determines the average annual stocking rate based on your feed utilisation. Furthermore, it generates a whole farm pasture growth rate graph and allows for scenarios to explore the impact of feed surplus or deficit, helping you to make informed decisions about managing your livestock and feed resources.

Downloadable Pasture supply calculator

How to calculate whole farm feed supply