Standard Animal Units (often abbreviated to SAU or AU) exist so we can meaningfully compare apples with oranges.
At RCS, we’ve been using LSU and DSE for decades and still find them to be meaningful. LSU = Live Stock Unit. DSE = Dry Sheep Equivalent. 1 LSU = 6.9 DSE.
When it comes to determining the feed demand for animals we need to account for two primary variables: weight of animal and level of productivity. Bigger animals eat more! Over time the mature ewe and cow weight has increased in many businesses. This means that your actual stocking rate has increased for the same number of animals. For example going from a 500kg to 550kg cow will increase stocking rate by approximately 8.5%. In many sheep operations, the fertility has increased considerably over time and this has increased stocking rate also.
Knowing how many DSE or LSU have been running, or intend to run is vital for matching stocking rate to carrying capacity, as well as for calculating financial metrics (e.g. gross margin $/DSE).
A common mistake is averaging the DSE or LSU rating across the year. Each year your weaners will likely be different weights, and often their weight gains will vary depending on the season. This equates to different ratings. When you wean a cow or ewe, the rating more than halves. How long they’ll be lactating for is often determined by season. I could go on with the examples, however I’ll finish with saying there are enough unknowns and variables in agriculture outside of your control – don’t let a meaningful calculation of your LSU or DSE be another one.
What I’ve found is that once you set up a system that works for you, it takes very little effort to get meaningful information.
NB. If you are keeping a grazing chart without adjusting your LSU or DSE ratings on a monthly basis, then the grass yields being calculated could be out by a very long way!
If you’ve done a course with RCS, you’ll have copy of the tables in your manuals. We’ve also turned it into a handy online calculator for your analysing pleasure! Save it to your favourites.
Cheers David McLean
In this short 3-minute video hear from course graduates about their experience at Australia’s leading farm management course – Grazing for Profit®.
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