Size a simple rotation: paddock count from rest and graze days, with optional acres per paddock from daily dry-matter demand and available forage.
Use this when planning how many paddocks you need so each paddock rests long enough while the herd grazes others — a classic rest/graze ratio plus one for the paddock currently occupied.
Optional forage math estimates acres per paddock from herd daily DM demand and available forage lb/acre for the graze period.
Minimum paddocks ≈ rest/graze + 1 (the paddock being grazed). Acres per paddock ≈ (daily DM × graze days) ÷ available forage lb/acre.
paddocks = (rest_days ÷ graze_days_per_paddock) + 1
acres_per_paddock = (daily_DM_lb × graze_days) ÷ available_forage_lb_ac
Rest 30 days, graze 3 days/paddock → paddocks = 30/3 + 1 = 11.
Herd needs 3,000 lb DM/day, available 1,500 lb/acre: acres/paddock = (3000×3)/1500 = 6 acres.
Assumptions: uniform rest target; one herd; forage availability already net of residual and waste.
Limits: ignores water placement, lane design, seasonal growth curves, and leader-follower systems.
Responsibility: match stocking to measured forage; drought shortens rest recovery.
While one paddock is grazed, the others rest. The +1 accounts for the paddock currently occupied.
Use your average planned stay, or size for the longest stay so rest is not cut short.
Enter the amount you will allow the herd to remove this pass (after residual), not season-long yield.