MLA Stocking Rate & DSE Calculator
Merino Wether (45kg maintenance) – 1.0 DSE
Dry Ewe / Ram – 1.5 DSE
Ewe with single lamb (to weaning) – 2.5 DSE
Ewe with twins (to weaning) – 3.5 DSE
Steer / Heifer (weaner 250kg) – 6.0 DSE
Growing Steer (400kg) – 8.0 DSE
Cow with calf at foot – 14.0 DSE
Dry Bull – 12.0 DSE
Custom DSE Rating
Total DSE Load:
0
Stocking Rate:
0
Understanding Stocking Rate and DSE
Stocking rate is the most important driver of profitability and sustainability in grazing enterprises. It refers to the number of livestock carried on a specific area of land over a period of time. In Australia, the standard unit of measurement is the Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE).
A DSE is based on the energy requirements of a 45kg Merino wether maintained at a constant weight. By converting all livestock classes (cattle, goats, different sheep breeds) into DSE units, farmers can accurately compare grazing pressure across different paddocks and seasons.
How to Calculate Stocking Rate
To calculate your current stocking rate, use the following formula:
Total DSE = (Number of Animals) × (DSE Rating per Head)
Stocking Rate (DSE/ha) = Total DSE ÷ Total Hectares
Common DSE Benchmarks
| Livestock Category | Average DSE Rating |
|---|---|
| Dry Ewe (50kg) | 1.1 |
| Ewe with single lamb | 2.5 – 2.8 |
| Weaner Cattle (250kg) | 6.0 |
| Cow and Calf (500kg cow) | 14.0 |
Why Monitoring Stocking Rate Matters
- Pasture Health: Overstocking leads to overgrazing, loss of perennial species, and soil erosion.
- Animal Performance: High stocking rates can reduce individual animal weight gain due to competition for feed.
- Risk Management: Knowing your DSE load helps you calculate how many months of feed you have left during a dry spell.
- Profitability: Optimizing the balance between animal numbers and pasture growth maximizes kilograms of product per hectare.
Example Calculation
If you have 1,000 Merino wethers on a 200-hectare property:
- Total DSE = 1,000 animals × 1.0 DSE = 1,000 DSE
- Stocking Rate = 1,000 DSE ÷ 200 ha = 5.0 DSE/ha
If you switch to 100 cows with calves on the same property:
- Total DSE = 100 animals × 14.0 DSE = 1,400 DSE
- Stocking Rate = 1,400 DSE ÷ 200 ha = 7.0 DSE/ha