Livestock Units Calculator

ByFarmingram Updated on
Livestock Units Calculator

What is A Livestock unit?

Livestock units (LSU) is a measure of the amount of forage required to sustain a particular type and number of livestock over a specific period of time, typically a year. It is used as a way to compare the forage needs of different types and numbers of livestock and to determine the carrying capacity of a piece of land for livestock grazing.

Livestock Units Calculation Formula

There are several methods for calculating livestock units, but a commonly used method is based on the animal’s weight and the amount of forage required per unit of weight. Here is the formula for calculating LSU:

LSU = (Animal weight, in pounds) / (Forage requirement per unit weight, in pounds)

For example, let’s say you have a herd of cows that weigh 1,000 pounds each and they require 25 pounds of forage per day per 100 pounds of body weight. The LSU for each cow would be calculated as follows:

LSU = (1,000 pounds) / (25 pounds/100 pounds) = 40 LSU/cow

To calculate the total LSU for the herd, you would multiply the number of cows by the LSU per cow:

Total LSU = (Number of cows) x (LSU/cow) = (20 cows) x (40 LSU/cow) = 800 LSU

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