The term livestock unit (LSU) or ewe equivalent (EE) is used to express the annual feed requirement of a “standard” 55 kg breeding ewe rearing a single lamb.
Carrying capacities are based on stock numbers carried at 30 June.
Note: as goats may be browsing scrub and weeds, and because they do not readily consume clover, a direct LSU comparison with other livestock classes may not apply.
One livestock unit requires approximately 520 kg good-quality pasture per year.
Table of Livestock Conversion Factors
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Beef Cows
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Mating at 2 yrs
Approx. 330 kg 2nd winter; 360 kg at mating; 480 kg at 1st calving
Beef Bulls, Steers, Heifers
These are desirable target liveweights for rapid finishing systems
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*Mid Dec to mid Feb is slaughter period
Sex effects
Steers and heifers will be ablut 10% and 20% lower in weight, respectively, than bulls.