Example for estimating growth in 300kg growing steers or unjoined heifers in 100 days grazing
Information for calculation:
• Steer liveweight at start - 300kg
• Pasture at start of grazing - 2,500kg DM/ha
• Pasture growth rate - 30kg DM/ha/day
• Quality of feed - 10.5MJ ME/kg DM
• Average daily gain - 0.98kg/day (or approximately 1kg/day)
• Number of grazing days - 100 days
Answer: In 100 days grazing expected weight gain is 100kg liveweight/head
Calculating the gross financial benefit/hectare to the grazing business
Once you have an estimate of the stocking rate and the number of days that stock will be grazing the pasture to achieve the target weight gain, the gross return per hectare can be calculated.
Example for calculating gross financial benefit Information for calculation:
• Purchase price - $600 (300kg x $2/kg)
• Sale price - $760 (400kg x $1.90)
• Difference sale and purchase - $160 ($760 – $600)
To estimate use the formula:
Number of cattle per hectare x (purchase price less sale price)
Answer: At the stocking rate of 4 steers/ha x $160, estimated gross return is $640/ha
Note: This is simply the gross financial benefit to the grazing business. The operating costs need to be deducted to arrive at an estimated gross margin.
