Simple feed budgets can help guide how much earlier you may need to start feeding or what impact selling some stock now may have on feed available as we head towards the Autumn break.

Four pieces of information are required to do a dry season feed budget:

• How much feed do we currently have across the farm?
• The minimum amount of dry feed we want at the end of grazing.
• How much will grow over the next few months?
• How much will be removed?

This will help determine how long the feed will last and provide an early warning of when additional feeding may be needed.

To use the feed budget calculator please enter the details in the grey boxes below and it will calculate the balance for each month.  Please note that the calculations are done on 30 days and the previous month’s balance is carried forward to the next month, the end figure is displayed in whole numbers. This calculator is to be used as a guide only, actual results may vary.

To help with calculations see the tables below the calculator for Pasture growth estimates modelled for SW Victoria under Average and Decile 1 conditions and a DSE Table to help estimate stocking rates.

For more detailed information please read the fact sheet How long will the feed last?

Modelled Pasture Growth (DM kg/ha/mth)

DSE Table