Graze/Paddock
6 days
Paddocks
6
Rest Days
30
AU
10
Grazing Days Per Paddock
6
30 days rest between grazings
Rotation Cycle
36 days
Moves/Season
30
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Inputs
Result
Grazing = 30 / (6-1) = 6 days. Cycle = 6 × 6 = 36 days. Moves = 180 / 6 = 30.
Inputs
Result
Grazing = 35 / (8-1) = 5 days. Cycle = 5 x 8 = 40 days. Moves = 210 / 5 = 42.
Most rotational systems use 6–12 paddocks. More paddocks allow longer rest periods. With 6 paddocks and a 30-day rest period, each paddock is grazed for 6 days. With 12 paddocks, grazing drops to 2–3 days per paddock.
Rest periods depend on climate and season. During active growth (spring), 21–30 days is sufficient. During slow growth (summer heat, fall), extend to 45–60 days. Overgrazing occurs when rest is too short for regrowth.
| Season | Rest Days | Grazing Days (8 paddocks) | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 25 | 3–4 | Fast |
| Summer | 45 | 6–7 | Slow |
| Fall | 35 | 5 | Moderate |
| Winter | N/A | Hay feeding | Dormant |
One animal unit equals one 1,000 lb cow. A horse is 1.25 AU, a goat is 0.17 AU, and a sheep is 0.20 AU. Animal units standardize stocking rates across species for pasture planning.
In productive pasture areas (Eastern US), plan 2–3 acres per cow. In arid regions (Western US), 10–40 acres per cow may be needed. Rotational grazing increases carrying capacity 25–50% over continuous grazing.
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Last Updated: Mar 21, 2026
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