Tip: A feed estimation record allows you to capture the available forage in your paddocks and helps to forecast projected pasture stocks against livestock demand.
Feed estimations (or budgets) are a way for you to measure the approximate forage availability of a paddock and plan the length of a graze. Recording feed estimations in Atlas Grazing allows you to improve the accuracy of your assessments by comparing your estimation to the actual graze yield. Over time, your visual feed estimations get more accurate, allowing you to make more confident decisions in the paddock.
Atlas Grazing provides a step-by-step guide to completing a feed estimation, with the option of two methods. The Single Animal Method involves walking out a square or rectangle you estimate would feed one standard animal for one day. Input the number of steps into Atlas Grazing, and we will calculate the feed availability for the paddock. This allows you to understand how long your mob can graze that paddock and plan when they will need to move
1. From the Home Dashboard Select "Add new"
2. Select "Feed estimation" from the Records category
3. Select the date of the feed estimate
4. Click "Select Paddock"
5. Select the calculator button
6. Select "Single Animal Method"
7. Review the how to steps before selecting "Continue"
8. Enter the number of steps and your estimate stride length to calculate the total area. Then select "Next"
9. Select the relevant animal type you wish to estimate the area for. Then select "Next"
10. Select a paddock and adjust the grazeable area percentage if needed. Then select Calculate Feed Estimate."
11. Apply a confidence rating if desired
This will help you track how confident you, or members of your team feel about calculating feed estimates. Overtime, the more often you perform a feed estiamte, the more confident you should feel.
12. Review the details and select "Use This Value"
Tip: When looking at this feed estimate, consider the last time stock were in this paddock, and their yield - is this comparable? is this realistic?
Remember, when grazing a general rule of thumb is to retain 30% plant matter to ensure the plant has enough foliage to re-grow and depend its root system. Overtime this improves your lands drought resilience.
13. Select "Save" to complete
