Coffey Ranch: Stocking Rates

by Hugh Aljoe, Russell Stevens, Charles Griffith

The initial stocking rate was developed from a resource inventory performed in 1987 and was established at 110 animal units (AUs). The stocking rate increased to more than 250 AUs in 1994 (Figure 7). As the stocking rate increased, the cow herd increased, but not as rapidly. Stocker cattle were used during the growing seasons through 1994 to utilize forage in several pastures in controlled grazing studies. We quit using stocker cattle in 1995. Only the cow herd (including replacement females and herd bulls) has been maintained on the ranch since.

Coffey Ranch Main Page
The Herbaceous Plant Community
Total Animal Unit Days of Grazing
Stocking Rates
Managing the Woody Plant Community
Wildlife Production

Source: 1997 Noble Foundation Annual Report