Stocking Rates - How Many Cows per Acre

Continuing on with our business of ranching series, we take a look at how we determine how many cows the ranch can support along with grazing practices to ensure that we can continue grazing for years to come. We figure stocking rates, carrying capacity and how to analyze animal units for your own ranch.

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Our Wyoming Life
PO Box 667
Gillette WY 82717

Join us on our journey as we leave a life in corporate america to come back to Wyoming and help on the family ranch.

Our Wyoming Life features our Wyoming ranch and our ranch family. Giving you a look into the workings of ranching from raising cattle to raising and harvesting crops. Erin will join you weekly out of the garden, showing you how she helps provide for our family through growing produce and selling at local farmers markets, and Mike will take you along as he tends to the animals and land of ranch, from calving to fencing to planting and harvesting hay.

[redcossack]

This is a great video. Mike, I am glad you posted some of these people's comments. I never would have believed it that people would be so hard on you. You have a difficult job, and making it work as you and Erin do is a testimony to your fortitude, pioneer spirit and your courage to follow your dream of being Wyoming ranchers. Keep going you guys, you are awesome and an inspiration to many of us to keep on going!

[colindeakin]

Mike, I'm glad you included the part that stockings rates can be vastly different than someone just a mile away. Here in Illinois the usual rule is 1.5-2.5 cow per acre. But part of our ground is reclaimed coal mining dirt. No mater how much rain or fertilizer it gets it not going to produce the same. We figured 4.5-5.5 on the reclaimed soil. The difference in soil could only be a few feet across a valley, but it makes a world of difference when figuring your cattle/sheep operation.

[toddbrewer]

I think it is good for city people to watch this video. I am glad you didn't go into too much detail about things like % of clay, bio diversity, organic matter in soil... it would have been too much for many viewers. Great work!

[steveaguinaga]

Intensive rotational grazing, mob grazing, holistic management.
Haven't heard you mention these.
Proven to increase stocking rate and forage, soil health. You said you're open to ideas. I'd like to see you succeed and save $. Great work. Love the videos

[WPRJersey]

So cool. Being a city guy, and wanting to get a small farm down the road, it's videos like this that is very useful. I'm so glad to have found your channel for the education I'm certain to need later on. Thanks as always for your help.

[stevebowman]

Thanks Mike for taking on the job as teacher. Every video that you post gives people the opportunity to learn something new. The importance of that cannot be over valued.

[CowboyDave]

Right on the money, Mike. That formula is what I was taught in Range Land Management when I was in FFA many years ago. Still applies today!

[davemarshall]

Well done video on explaining stocking rates.

[johnevans]

Hi Mike, I found the Our Wyoming Life channel by searching for antelope hunting videos in Wyoming. I was drawn in by your down to earth personality. I watched the video with the guys from South Sacramento and many others ( I’m also from south Sac). Your channel is the only one I have subscribed to. I plan to hunt in Wyoming with in the next few years. Thanks for the information and showing us around the ranch. John

[snapstring]

I enjoyed joining you on Our Wyoming Life. Loved the video 👍

[wranther]

Thank you for the great Sunday morning math lesson Mike!

[chrisnickell]

Very informative video!! I really enjoyed today's video. No other channel has info like this. Thank you!!

[russellmoore]

Another great video mike. And also informative

[GustavoCastillaEtherDreams]

In Northern N.M. is about 45 acres, thank you for sharing

[gileshanover]

Good video of part of the business side of the ranch, Mike. I love the new logo. Have a blessed Sunday.

[keiterfarms]

I learned all of this information in college, and it is really interesting and very useful. Its really sad to see people disliking you and even calling you out on how you are wrong when they come from total different parts of the world where they stocking rates and carrying capacity is probably much lower.

[BillTheTractorMan]

Fantastic video Mike! I'm glad you covered this, I've noticed many questions coming up about why you dont have more cattle. This hit that nail on the head and set it with one swing. I really enjoyed!

[davidignacio]

Awesome. With you explaining all these and putting numbers on these abstract concepts, it becomes easily visualizable (is this even a word?) for us or can be easily seen the lessons you are explaining. Dude, this is awesome. Keep doing this and keep educating us on this your Wyoming life.

[bobrabitt]

I have learned so much from your channel than ever before. Always very informative.

[mikehamilton]

Great video, Mike. I and most small and part time cow/calf operators play it by ear, this explanation help put a plan in place. Mother nature has the last word. Keep up the good work, both on the ranch and your channel. Love it. Best to the family.