Grazing capacity

From the primary production factors of climate, soil, physiographic factors and grassland condition, the grazing capacity is determined.

Grazing capacity is a term describing the productivity of a specific area of a specific type of vegetation in terms of the area of land (ha) required to maintain a specified animal unit in good productive or reproductive condition, without deterioration of the grazing or the soil for the normal grazeable period of the particular type of grazing referred to. Grazing capacity can thus be expressed in terms of animal unit per unit area, per unit time.

The current grazing capacity is the grazing capacity of the vegetation in its current condition. The potential grazing capacity is the grazing capacity of the vegetation when it is in its optimum condition for grazing purposes.

The following animal units are given as an indication of the equivalents of cattle units.

Different animals equivalent to Mature Livestock Units

Grazing capacity is usually approached in an over-optimistic vein in that production under extremely good conditions is usually used as a measure of grazing capacity. Grazing capacity should be based on the actual condition of the vegetation and not based on its potential if it is not in ideal condition.

The grazing capacity of vegetation can vary according to environmental conditions and the condition of the vegetation. The degree to which optimum utilisation can be obtained will depend on the management practices applied.