The answer to this question varies with the climate, soil condition, and presence of ground moisture. In a number of areas, 2 acres will sustain 1 cow or 1 horse or 3-5 ewes and their lambs. In Montana, it can take 20-40 acres to sustain the same number. Check with your county extension and do some personal research for your locality regarding general acreage recommendations and the quantity/quality of forage that can be grown. The more forage
that can be normally grown means the more animals one can pasture.
The term normal means average so investigate whether your selected acreage is in normal range for rainfall and fertility. A local area can have variations in the lay of the land that can impact on rainfall for a certain land parcel and it is common that soil conditions can vary widely in a local area due to leaching, unusual deposits of sand or rock, and past use of the land.
Also, plan for some additional acreage to meet outside the norm weather conditions such as drought, heavy rains, and colder than normal winters. The additional acreage can be planted with alfalfa and then harvested for storage to meet unexpected needs.
Cattle and sheep do not typically need shelters except for shade which can come from trees. A wind break for extreme wind conditions is needed. Horses need a three sided shelter that is wide so that bossy horses cannot keep the outcasts from entering the shelter or trap them at back of the shelter. Three sided shelters will benefit the cattle and sheep also. The shelters need to be on well drained soil to protect the animals’ feet and to minimize mud formation which attracts fleas and flies for egg laying. Make sure your acreage calculations are not too tight and permit the construction of a needed shelters and to provide for their needed drainage.
Sheep need to be protected from predators. Dogs, a lama, a donkey, or 2-3 Miniature Galloway cows normally will help in the defense of a small group of sheep so you want to remember to plan forage for the “support staff” too. The Galloways give milk and meat so they might be the only cattle a home farmer may need.
Plan well for your area and particular parcel of land. It is better to have a bit more than to have too little land. The extra pasture for example can be planted with extra hay or alfalfa that can sold or stored for unexpected needs. It has been rare that livestock can be sustained with just pasture forage and supplements. Some have done so and I hope to be able to find a way to do this while having backup storage too.
by Linda Headley
http://homehobbyfarming.blogspot.com
Just a Home Gardner
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