1. What is Cow Days Per Acre?

Cow Days Per Acre is a measurement used in grazing management to determine how many days one acre of land can support a cow based on available forage and the cow's daily intake.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Cow Days equation:

Where:

• Forage Yield — Total available forage per acre (lbs)
• Daily Intake — Amount of forage consumed by one cow per day (lbs)

Explanation: This simple division gives the number of days one acre can support one cow based on the available forage.

3. Importance of Cow Days Calculation

Details: Calculating cow days helps farmers and ranchers plan grazing rotations, determine stocking rates, and manage pasture resources effectively.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter forage yield in pounds per acre and daily intake in pounds per day. Both values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical forage yield per acre?
A: Forage yield varies widely (1,000-10,000+ lbs/acre) depending on grass type, soil quality, rainfall, and management practices.

Q2: How much does a cow typically eat per day?
A: A mature cow typically consumes 2.5-3% of its body weight in dry matter daily (about 25-30 lbs for a 1,000 lb cow).

Q3: Does this account for forage regrowth?
A: No, this is a static calculation. For rotational grazing systems, regrowth must be considered separately.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a basic estimate. Actual grazing days may vary due to waste, selective grazing, and other factors.

Q5: Can this be used for other livestock?
A: Yes, but you'll need to adjust for the animal's specific daily intake (e.g., sheep eat about 1/5 of what a cow eats).