Stocking Rate Calculator
Convert livestock numbers to total Livestock Units (LU), LU per hectare and LU per acre, using the DEFRA Countryside Stewardship Annex 6C conversion table.
Livestock unit conversion table (DEFRA Annex 6C)
| Livestock category | Livestock Units each | Animals per 1 LU |
|---|---|---|
| Cattle over 2 years | 1.00 | 1 |
| Cattle 6 months to 2 years | 0.60 | ~1.7 |
| Horse | 1.00 | 1 |
| Pony or donkey | 0.80 | 1.25 |
| Lowland ewe, lamb or ram | 0.12 | ~8.3 |
| Store lamb, hill ewe, hogg or teg | 0.08 | 12.5 |
| Goat | 0.12 | ~8.3 |
So 1 Livestock Unit ≈ 1 adult cow ≈ 1 horse ≈ 8–9 lowland ewes ≈ 12–13 hill ewes. "Animals per 1 LU" is simply 1 divided by the DEFRA coefficient.
Frequently asked questions
What is a livestock unit (LU)?
A livestock unit is a standard way of expressing different types and ages of grazing animals on a common scale, so that stocking can be compared across species. In the DEFRA Countryside Stewardship system, one LU corresponds to one adult bovine over two years old, and every other category is a fraction of that (see the table above).
How many sheep count as one livestock unit?
Using the DEFRA Annex 6C coefficients: a lowland ewe, lamb or ram counts as 0.12 LU, so roughly 8–9 of them make one LU. A store lamb, hill ewe, hogg or teg counts as 0.08 LU — exactly 12.5 per LU.
What stocking rate is "right" for my land?
This calculator deliberately does not tell you. DEFRA's own illustration is that a 10 ha pasture field might support around 1.5 LU/ha — but the appropriate rate depends on habitat, soil, rainfall, sward quality and your farm system. Use the number as a comparison point and talk to your agronomist or feed advisor.
Does this check my SFI or Countryside Stewardship limits?
No — because current SFI and CS grassland actions are managed by sward height and seasonal rules, not by a maximum LU/ha. Check your sward against the published action rules with our Grassland Grazing Checker.
What about manure nitrogen limits (NVZ)?
The 170 kg N/ha/year livestock manure limit in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones is a separate calculation based on nitrogen produced, not livestock units. If your land is in an NVZ, start with our NVZ checker.
About this calculator
Livestock Unit coefficients are taken verbatim from DEFRA Countryside Stewardship Annex 6C. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Crown copyright 2023.
What this tool does: converts livestock numbers to total Livestock Units (LU) and LU per hectare.
What this tool does not do: recommend whether your stocking rate is appropriate. Suitable LU per hectare depends on habitat, soil, rainfall, sward quality, farm system, and — where applicable — the specific stocking rules of your Countryside Stewardship or Sustainable Farming Incentive agreement.
For decisions about your farm, consult a feed advisor, agronomist or veterinary surgeon. For Countryside Stewardship compliance, check your agreement documents or contact the Rural Payments Agency.
Categories outside Annex 6C (pigs, poultry, deer, cattle under 6 months) are not included. For those, a different LU system or direct reference to your agreement schedule is required.
Keep learning
New to data-driven farming? Read our complete guide to precision agriculture in the UK, see what precision farming actually costs, or take the free interactive introduction course — story-driven, narrated, and cited to AHDB and gov.uk.