Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE) Calculator for Australian Farmers

Managing stocking rates is critical for healthy pastures and profitable livestock production. In Australia, the most common measure is the Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE) — a standard unit that allows you to compare the feed requirements of different classes of livestock.

Mobble’s DSE Calculator makes it simple for Australian farmers to calculate and plan stocking rates, ensuring you can match livestock demand with pasture supply.

The results show you the total DSE for your mob, helping you align grazing pressure with available feed.

👉 Try it yourself below:

How to Use the DSE Calculator

Select your species – Cattle, Sheep, or Goats.
Choose the livestock class – for example, Dry, Pregnant - Single, Pregnant - Twins, Lactating - Single, or Lactating - Twins.
Enter the weight – the calculator will automatically match to the closest weight table.‍
Enter the number of head – the tool instantly calculates the total DSE.

Livestock Stocking Rate Calculator (DSE)

What is a Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE)?

A DSE represents the feed demand of a 50 kg Merino wether maintained in good condition.

By using DSE, Australian farmers can:

Compare cattle, sheep and goats on the same scale.
Work out stocking rates instead of guessing “cows per acre.”
Make smarter grazing decisions that balance pasture and livestock.

Why DSE Matters in Australian Farming

Questions like “how many cattle per acre in Australia?” are common, but they don’t consider livestock weight, class, or seasonal conditions. DSE does.

Using DSE helps you:

Balance feed demand with pasture growth.
Monitor stocking pressure through the year.
Plan for seasonal changes with accurate comparisons.

Practical Example

A mob of 50 pregnant Merino ewes (50kg) equals about 63 DSE. This figure can be compared directly with cattle or goats, making it easier to calculate whole-farm stocking rates.

FAQs

How many cows per acre in Australia?
It depends on rainfall, pasture type, and livestock weight. In high-rainfall zones, you may carry 1–2 cows per acre. In drier regions, stocking rates are much lower. DSE provides a more accurate way to calculate this across your farm.

How many acres per cow should I plan for?
The number of acres per cow varies with soil fertility and climate. Instead of a blanket figure, use the DSE calculator to work out stocking pressure specific to your paddocks.

What is a stocking rate calculator?
A stocking rate calculator helps farmers compare different mobs and species by using a standard unit (like DSE). This avoids overgrazing and improves land health.

Is DSE only used in Australia?
Yes. Other countries use different measures: Animal Units (AU) in the USA, Stock Units (SU) in New Zealand.

Is DSE only used in Australia?
Yes. DSE is an Australian standard. Other regions use different units, such as Animal Units (AU) in the USA and Stock Units (SU) in New Zealand.

Can I use the calculator offline?
Yes. Mobble’s web and mobile apps are built for both online and offline use, syncing data across your whole farming team.

How do I know the right stocking rate for my farm?
The right stocking rate depends on pasture growth, rainfall, and management goals. DSE is a guide — Mobble helps you track grazing history and make better decisions over time

Why Use Mobble for Stocking Rate Management?

Mobble is more than just a DSE calculator. It helps farmers:

Track grazing history for every paddock.
Record mobs, movements and stocking rates in one place.
Keep the whole team connected on and off farm.

By combining stocking rate calculations with Mobble’s record-keeping, you can answer “how many cattle per acre” on your property with real data, not guesses.