|
Use the following tables to calculate the total number of DSE’s you are running on your property. You can further refine these calculations to determine how many DSE’s are in different parts of the property, and at different times of the year.
Further analysis of this information is possible to enable you to relate DSE’s to rainfall, and, with time and practice, determine when critical decisions need to be made regarding stocking rates.
DSE ratings for Merino ewes (adult)
| Liveweight (kg) |
Dry/empty |
Pregnant
|
Lactating
|
| 35 |
0.8 |
|
|
| 40 |
0.9 |
|
|
| 45 |
0.9 |
|
|
| 50 |
1.0 |
|
|
| 55 |
1.1 |
|
|
| 60 |
1.2 |
|
|
| 65 |
1.2 |
|
|
(Alchin et al. 2008)
DSE ratings for Merino weaners
Liveweight
(kg) |
Post weaning growth rate (g/day)
|
| 15 |
|
| 20 |
|
| 25 |
|
| 30 |
|
| 35 |
|
| 40 |
|
| 65 |
|
(Alchin et al. 2008)
DSE ratings for goats
| Grade |
Class of goat |
DSE rating |
| Dry doe |
0.75 |
30-40kg |
| Breeding doe |
1.5 (assuming breeding 150% kids per year) |
40-60 kg |
| Weaner |
0.7 (weaning to 1 year old) |
20-40kg |
| Buck |
1.5 |
60-80kg |
(Source: Going into Goats, MLA)
Complete the following table using the two tables on the previous page to get a DSE rating for each class of stock
- Write down each class of stock in the table below.
- Estimate accurately their liveweight
- Record each class of animal’s status, dry, pregnant – single, pregnant – multiple
- From the tables on the previous page, record the DSE rating of each class of livestock
- Record the number of stock in each class
- Multiply the number of stock in each class by their DSE rating to get a total DSE rating for that class of stock
- Add up the total number of DSE’s for your property.
| Class of stock |
Liveweight (kg) |
Pregnancy status (dry, single, multiple) |
DSE rating(a) |
Number of stock in class(b) |
Total DSE’s for that class of stock(c = a x b) |
| 2 year old ewes |
2 year old ewes 65 |
Single |
1.5 |
1,500 |
2,250 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Once the average DSE’s are known, the daily DSE figure for a paddock can be determined by multiplying the total number of stock by the DSE figure, e.g. 500 ewes x 1.5 DSE (pregnant, single, 65kg bodyweight) = 750 DSE daily grazing pressure.
NB: This DSE figure does not include grazing impact from kangaroos which have a 0.75 DSE rating, goats which are rated at 1.0 DSE and rabbits which are rated at 0.1 DSE. Refer to the next section, Managing Grazing Pressure and Total Grazing Pressure.
If you are running cattle, lookup DSE ratings for the type of cattle you are running, and add this to your DSE table.
Use the following tables to understand the different requirements that sheep have over the year, as well as the approximate energy and protein levels in some common rangeland species.
Understanding the requirements of sheep at different times throughout their breeding cycle, as well as the quality of the feed, and its energy and protein contents will be a starting point to begin a basic fodder budget for your business. This exercise will allow you to gain a greater understanding of the extent of any surplus or shortfall in animal requirements that exist, and from this information you can make further decisions regarding management of these animals.
| |
Metabolisable Energy (ME) MJ/kg dry matter |
Crude protein (%) |
Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF %) |
| Ram – maintenance |
8 |
8 |
30 |
| Ewe/wether – Maintenance |
8 |
8 |
30 |
| Replacement ewe lambs |
10 |
14 |
30 |
| Ewe – mating |
10 |
12 |
30 |
| Ewe – 4 weeks pre lambing |
10 |
14 |
30 |
| Ewe – lactating |
11 |
15 |
30 |
| Weaner lambs |
11 |
16 |
30 |
(National Research Council, 1985)
For goat specific figures similar to the above, refer to Going into Goats publication, MLA.
Protein and energy levels of common rangeland feed species
| Common name |
Scientific name |
Metabolisable Energy (ME) MJ/kg |
Crude protein (%) |
| Annual Medic (green) |
Medicago sp. |
11 |
19.8 |
| Pop Saltbush |
Atriplex holocarpa |
10 |
17.5 |
| Ward’s Weed (green) |
Carrichtera annua |
9.7 |
20.6 |
| Pearl Bluebush (green) |
Maireana sedifolia |
9.4 |
17.5 |
| Annual Ryegrass (green) |
Lolium sp. |
9.1 |
14 |
| Black Bluebush |
Maireana pyramidata |
9.1 |
16.8 |
| Speargrass |
Austrostipa sp |
7.6 |
7.5 |
| Cotton Bush |
Ptilotus obovatus |
6.2 |
17.9 |
| Tall Saltbush |
Rhagodia eremaea |
6.1 |
22.1 |
Energy and protein levels in a range of feed species (Franklin-McEvoy, 2005)
|
