Calculate daily pasture growth rate from two grazing stick measurements. Get recommendations on grazing management and stocking rate.
This calculator measures how fast your pasture is growing between two measurements. Growth rate determines whether you should increase stocking, maintain grazing, or rest and supplement. Critical tool for rotational grazing management.
A pasture at 1,500 kg DM/ha grows to 1,850 kg DM/ha in 14 days — that's 25 kg DM/ha/day. At 25 kg/day, you can graze 1 cow/ha comfortably. If growth drops to 8 kg/day during a dry spell, you must either reduce stock or start supplementing before pastures are damaged.
✓ Expert Reviewed: This calculator and its content have been reviewed by agricultural experts. Formulas are based on NRC, FAO, and university extension recommendations. For site-specific advice, consult your local agronomist or veterinarian.
Enter your previous pasture measurement (kg DM/ha from grazing stick or quadrat), current measurement, and number of days between them. Click Calculate to see growth rate and management recommendations.
The Pasture Growth Calculator is essential for adaptive grazing management. Growth rate drives stocking rate adjustments, hay cutting decisions, and supplementation timing. NRC and FAO emphasize regular pasture monitoring for sustainable production.
Growth rate = (current − previous) ÷ days. Weekly = rate × 7. Monthly = rate × 30. Key thresholds: >40 kg DM/ha/day = excellent, 20-40 = good, 10-20 = moderate, <10 = slow (supplement needed), negative = overgrazed (rest immediately).
Previous: 1,500 kg DM/ha. Current: 1,850 kg DM/ha. Days: 14. Rate = (1,850−1,500) ÷ 14 = 25 kg/day. Weekly = 175 kg. Monthly = 750 kg. At 25 kg/day, sustainable stocking = growth ÷ intake. If cows eat 12 kg/day and graze 50% utilization: 25 ÷ (12×0.5) = 4.2 cows/ha.
Common mistakes: measuring at different grazing heights, not accounting for regrazing of old growth, comparing pastures in different condition. Tip: measure at the same site each time using a grazing stick or permanent transect. Growth varies by season — expect peaks in spring/fall for temperate grasses.
Use a grazing stick or plate meter: measure pasture height at 20-30 random points across a paddock. Average height converts to kg DM/ha using a local calibration (typically ~300-500 kg DM/ha per cm of grass height). Alternatively, use the quadrat cutting method. Measure at the same sites each time. Extension services provide calibration equations for your region.
Excellent growth: >40 kg DM/ha/day (spring, favorable conditions). Good: 20-40 kg/day. Moderate: 10-20 kg/day (late summer). Slow: <10 kg/day (drought, winter). Threshold for maintaining livestock without supplementation is ~10-15 kg DM/ha/day for a 1 cow/ha stocking rate. NRC recommends monitoring weekly during critical periods.
During the growing season, measure every 7-14 days. This aligns with typical rotational grazing cycles. In slow growth periods (winter, drought), monthly measurement is adequate. Keep a permanent transect or marked sites so measurements are comparable. Record weather and rainfall to correlate with growth.
When growth rate < animal intake: (1) Reduce stocking rate immediately, (2) Begin supplementary feeding (hay, grain), (3) Rest paddocks that are overgrazed, (4) Move animals to a sacrifice paddock. Don't wait until pastures are severely damaged — recovery takes months. NRC recommends maintaining at least 1,500 kg DM/ha residual to allow rapid regrowth.
Faster growth means more grazing days, less purchased feed, higher stocking capacity. Every 1 kg DM/ha/day additional growth on 10 ha = 3,650 kg extra DM/year = enough to support ~0.8 additional cow. At $400/cow profit, that's $320/ha/year. Optimizing soil fertility, species mix, and grazing management can double growth rates.