Stocking Rates for Lifestyle Blocks in New Zealand

For lifestyle block owners, stocking rates refer to the number of animals you can sustainably graze on your land while maintaining pasture health and supporting animal wellbeing. Managing stocking rates is especially important on smaller properties, where land and resources are limited. Striking the right balance ensures a productive, low-maintenance, and enjoyable rural lifestyle.

Key Factors for Lifestyle Block Stocking Rates

1. Pasture Quality and Growth
   Pasture on lifestyle blocks may not be as intensively managed as on larger farms. The amount of grass your land produces will influence how many animals it can support. Regular soil testing and fertilization can help maintain good pasture growth.

2. Size of Your Block
   Small blocks require careful planning, as overstocking can lead to bare paddocks and poor animal health. A good rule of thumb is to aim for lower stocking rates than you’d find on commercial farms.

3. Type and Size of Animals
   Different animals have different grazing needs:

   • Sheep: Light grazers that are great for smaller blocks. A hectare can typically support 4–10 sheep, depending on pasture quality.

   • Goats: Browsers that prefer shrubs and rougher terrain. About 6–8 goats per hectare is a common stocking rate.

   • Cattle: Require more grass and space. One beef cattle beast per hectare is often a practical starting point.

   • Horses: Require plenty of feed and space to move. Aim for 1–2 horses per hectare, depending on their workload and the pasture’s ability to recover.

   • Pigs, Chickens, or Alpacas: These animals often need supplementary feed and less reliance on grazing, making them good options for smaller areas.

4. Seasonal Considerations
   Pasture growth varies with the seasons, especially in regions with dry summers or cold winters. Adjust your stocking rates by reducing stock numbers or providing supplemental feed during periods of low pasture growth.

5. Lifestyle Goals
   Many lifestyle block owners prioritize animal welfare, pasture aesthetics, or low-maintenance systems over maximum productivity. Keeping stocking rates conservative can help you avoid stress and give you flexibility in managing your land and animals.

6. Fencing and Paddock Rotation
   Dividing your land into smaller paddocks allows you to rotate animals, giving pastures time to recover. Rotational grazing improves grass utilization and can support slightly higher stocking rates.

7. Environmental Impact
   Lifestyle blocks are increasingly subject to environmental regulations, particularly around water quality. Avoid overstocking to reduce runoff, soil erosion, and damage to waterways.

Calculating Stocking Rates for a Lifestyle Block

A simple guide:
Stocking Rate (LU/ha) = Total Livestock Units ÷ Grazing Area (ha)

Lifestyle Example:

• A 2-hectare block with 5 sheep (0.1 LU each) and 2 goats (0.2 LU each).
  Stocking Rate = (5 × 0.1 + 2 × 0.2) ÷ 2 = 0.45 LU/ha.
  This is a conservative rate, ensuring ample pasture for the animals.

Tips for Lifestyle Block Owners

• Start Small: Begin with fewer animals than you think your block can handle, and adjust as needed.

• Monitor Pasture Health: Keep an eye on grass cover, weeds, and soil compaction. If the paddocks are overgrazed, reduce stock numbers.

• Supplement Feed: Use hay, silage, or feed pellets during dry or cold seasons.

• Seek Advice: Local councils, rural supply stores, and organizations like Beef + Lamb NZ or DairyNZ offer guidance tailored to small-scale farmers.

Enjoying Your Block:
The beauty of a lifestyle block is having space for animals without the intensity of a commercial farming operation. By managing stocking rates carefully, you’ll maintain healthy animals, lush pastures, and a property that’s both productive and picturesque.

Essential Facilities for a Lifestyle Block

1. Fencing and Gates

   • Purpose: Contain animals, protect pastures, and separate different areas of your block.

   • Types:

     • Electric fencing: Effective for cattle, sheep, and goats.

     • Post-and-rail fencing: Ideal for horses and aesthetics.

     • Wire fencing: Good for sheep and cattle but may need additional reinforcements for goats.

   • Ensure gates are sturdy, easy to operate, and positioned for convenient access.

2. Shelter

   • Natural Shelter: Trees, hedges, or windbreaks protect animals from wind, rain, and heat.

   • Animal Shelters:

     • Sheds or lean-tos for livestock (e.g., goats, sheep, and alpacas).

     • Stables for horses.

     • Covered pens for chickens or pigs.

   • Ensure the shelter size suits the number of animals and provides good ventilation.

3. Water Supply

   • Purpose: Ensure animals always have access to fresh, clean water.

   • Options:

     • Troughs with a reliable water reticulation system.

     • Rainwater tanks or a bore as backup water sources.

   • Protect waterways with fencing to prevent contamination and erosion.

4. Stock Yards and Handling Areas

   • Purpose: Facilitate safe and easy handling of livestock for health checks, shearing, or transport.

   • Features:

     • A basic yard with gates and holding pens.

     • A loading ramp for larger animals.

5. Storage Facilities

   • Feed Storage: A dry, vermin-proof shed for hay, silage, grain, or pellets.

   • Tool Storage: Secure space for farming tools, fencing supplies, and machinery like mowers or chainsaws.

6. Driveways and Access Tracks

   • Purpose: Provide year-round access to paddocks and facilities.

   • Design: Gravel or well-maintained tracks that allow vehicles to access key areas like yards and storage sheds.