Improving Pasture and Body Weight Estimation Techniques

Needs for Improved Pasture

Native vegetation and farm by-products have low feed value. Energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals from forages are cheaper than concentrates.

Native Vegetation

Found in backyard and farm forages. Low nutritive value, voluntary intake, and digestibility.

Toxic Weeds

Restricted for large consumption. Can cause scouring, GI tract infection, and gut health complications.

Grasses vs. Legumes: Soil Fertility Needs

Fertility Level Grasses (kg/100 m²/year) Legumes (kg/100 m²/year) Low 200-400 100-200 Medium 400-1000 200-300 High 1000-2000 300-600

Grasses Characteristics

Main feed for ruminants (60-80% of serving). High quantity, medium digestibility, low protein. Provides more biomass than legumes.

Legumes Characteristics

Better quality feed (20-40% of serving). High digestibility and protein content. Reduces risk of ingesting infective larvae.

Multi-purpose Tree Species (MPTS) Characteristics

Best for grazing and free feedlot. Provides both energy and protein but in lower amounts compared to grasses and legumes.

Body Weight Estimation Formula

HEART GIRTH × HEART GIRTH × BODY LENGTH ÷ 300 = BODY WEIGHT (lbs)

Units for Measurement in Body Weight Estimation (BWE)

Measure in inches and pounds. Conversion: 1 inch = 2.54 cm, 2.20 lbs = 1 kg.

Example of BWE for Sheep

Heart Girth: 35 inches, Body Length: 30 inches. Calculation: (35 × 35 × 30) ÷ 300 = 122 lbs.

Example of BWE for Cattle

Heart Girth: 70 inches, Body Length: 78 inches. Calculation: (70 × 70 × 78) ÷ 300 = 1274 lbs.

Important Points for Body Weight Estimation

Always divide by 300 in the formula. Results are close approximations, not exact. BWE is for urgent use only.