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Stocking rate is a measure of the carrying capacity of a dairy farm unit expressed as cows per hectare and is a crude measure of annual feed supply and demand. Comparative stocking rate is a more refined measure as it expresses the kgs of live weight per hectare per tonne of feed offered. |
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What is the Comparative
Stocking Rate (CSR)?
CSR is defined as kg LWT/tDM and the optimum level for per cow production, per hectare production and profitability is between 80 and 90.
CSR can be used to compare across dairy farms, dairy farm systems and regions.
CSR is not 100% accurate but is a much better indicator of the match between feed demand and supply than cows per ha. The accuracy of the calculated CSR is dependent on the information used. Farm monitoring of annual pasture production, quantities of imported feed and cow live weight will lead to a more accurate result than using generic local data.
To calculate the CSR for your farm, and determine the effect stocking rate has on your milk production and farm efficiency use the Comparative Stocking Rate form.
