Pasture Acreage Calculator

Find out how many acres you need to support your animals — and how to plan rotational grazing to maximize pasture health.

Animal Type

Number of Animals

Pasture Quality

Grazing Method

Grazing Season (months/year)

Land Available (acres) — optional

Acres Needed

—

acres

total

Acres / Animal

—

acres

min

Paddock Size

—

acres

each

Stocking Rate

—

AUs per acre

Rotational Grazing Schedule

Paddock	Grazing Period	Rest Period	Notes

General Stocking Rate Reference

Animal	Good Pasture	Average Pasture	Notes
🐄 Beef cow (1,000 lb)	1–2 acres	2–4 acres	One Animal Unit (AU) baseline
🐐 Goat	¼–½ acre	½–1 acre	5–6 goats per AU
🐑 Sheep	¼–½ acre	½–1 acre	4–5 sheep per AU
🐴 Horse (1,000 lb)	1.5–2 acres	2–3 acres	Harder on pasture than cattle
🐷 Pig (outdoor)	¼–½ acre	½–1 acre	Rotational critical — pigs root heavily
🦙 Llama / Alpaca	⅓–½ acre	½–1 acre	Light grazers; low pasture impact

Frequently Asked Questions

How many goats can I have per acre?

On good managed pasture with rotational grazing, you can typically run 6–8 goats per acre. On average pasture with continuous grazing, 3–4 goats per acre is more sustainable. Overstocking is the most common mistake new goat owners make.

What is rotational grazing and why does it matter?

Rotational grazing divides your pasture into paddocks and moves animals before the grass is overgrazed, allowing each section to fully recover before being grazed again. Well-managed rotational grazing can double the carrying capacity of the same land compared to continuous grazing.

How do I know if my pasture is overgrazed?

Signs of overgrazing include grass grazed below 2–3 inches, bare dirt patches, increased weeds and brush, poor animal body condition, and visible erosion. Recovery from severe overgrazing can take 2–3 years of rest and management.