How Do I Determine the Correct Stocking Rate? Stocking rate decisions should always protect threshold residue levels. A rancher wanting to leave 750 pounds per acre of threshold residue must subtract this quantity from the total forage supply to determine the forage available for consumption. For example, if the total forage supply is 1,200 pounds per acre, only 450 pounds per acre is available for consumption (1,200 - 750 = 450). At a moderate stocking rate, only half the amount available for consumption (225 pounds per acre) can be used by livestock. This equals 12.8 animal unit days of grazing per acre (225 divided by 17.64 pounds per day) before grazing must be stopped until regrowth occurs. Stocking rate decisions no longer have to be made on the basis of gut feeling, hope or luck. When stocking rates and grazing times are determined by this forage supply/forage residue approach, there is time for the rancher to predict potential forage shortfalls, determine the impact of the decision on finances and other ranch resources, and make any necessary adjustments before the forage resource is harmed or financial problems occur. Through adequate planning and periodic evaluation of range conditions, forage utilization can be controlled so that short- and long-term ranch goals are achieved. Authors: Larry D. White, Allan McGinty