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Stocking Rate Calculator Basic version

Convert livestock numbers to total Livestock Units (LU) and LU per hectare, using the DEFRA Countryside Stewardship Annex 6C conversion table.

Coming soon: scheme compliance check — pick your Countryside Stewardship or SFI action (UPL1-4, CLIG1-3, GS2, GS6, etc.) and the tool will flag whether your current LU/ha is within the limit for that specific action.

Enter livestock numbers

Only the seven categories listed in DEFRA Annex 6C. Leave blank or enter 0 if not applicable.

Enter grazing area

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.