Small Ruminants (Sheep & Goats)
Sheep Stocking Rate Calculator
A worksheet for working out how many sheep a pasture can carry. Use it with local guidance to plan grazing and avoid overuse. Fill in each line from your own records and keep the worksheet with your other farm papers.
WorksheetSmall Ruminants (Sheep & Goats)Free PDF
What you fill in
- Pasture name to fill in
- Usable acres to fill in
- Forage type to fill in
- Forage estimate per local guidance
- Animal class and size
- Days of grazing planned
- Other animals sharing the pasture
- Final head count planned
How to use this worksheet
Work down the lines and fill in what you know. Leave a line blank if you need to look something up, then come back and finish it.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with USDA NRCS and eXtension.
For more in this area, see the small farm and homestead guides. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Ranch Stocking Rates Calculator Recommends 60 Cows; Drought Votes for Six, and ranching farm stories.