How Many Cows Per Acre in Texas? Carrying Capacities and Stocking Rates Explained

Discover how many cows land in Texas will support! I cover average carrying capacities for land in each part of the state AND talk about what factors contribute to forage production on your property.
I have additional resources and information about this specific topic at:
landassociatio...
For more information about your land, check out www.LandAssociation.Org

[@David-wc7lx]

Great video! You won't go wrong listening to this guy. We moved from central Texas to NE Texas because you can't succeed without water. Here, our average annual rainfall is 47 inches. We have seen years of 96 inches. We are on 200ac. About 140 of that is grass. 40ac Johnson grass is held back for hay. When we got here, the first thing I did was over-seed the grazing pastures with Big and Quick crab grass and Dalis grass. I incorporated Alamo Switchgrass into our Johnson grass hay meadow. We spray weeds and fertilize once a year after it dries up enough to get equipment on it. That's the same reason we lose our rye grass cut every year. When the grasses head out, we set the shredder up about as high as it will go and shred all the seed stems. This over-seeds for next year. We have managed our grazing and have run 75 mommas, bulls, and calves without any issues. Our Johnson grass/Alamo switchgrass pasture is producing 5 bales/ac/cut. We have found that good stewardship of the land is blessed. We always give 2 pieces of advice. 1- don't get greedy. 2- stop measuring time in minutes and hours and start measuring it in season. No one truly understands lost time until they have lost a season. Good luck to all, and may the Lord bless your efforts.

[@tuckerrvsb07]

Thank you for your comment David, and God bless you and your family. I am here watching this trying to learn and your comment gives me hope on my potential upcoming career path change.

[@David-wc7lx]

@tuckerrvsb07 you thinking of getting into ranching or homesteading or something else.

[@tuckerrvsb07]

@David-wc7lx I've been in IT going on 10 years now. My new step dad is a rancher with somewhere around 300-400 acres total and hay plots and such, where he has the gull operation of tractors and equipment for cutting/bailing/hauling/etc. I'm totally new to the farm lifestyle but want to learn and show him that when he passes I'm not just going to sell off his land. I want a change at some point and will happily give up the IT world and carry on his legacy and what he built. Money is good but my soul gets drained. I'd rather cut back and be as happy as he is if I'm being honest.

[@David-wc7lx]

@@tuckerrvsb07 I get it. If I could give only one piece of advice, this would be it. Ask him every question you can think of and learn. When he passes, his knowledge will go with him. Lord knows, sometimes I'd give just about anything to be able to ask one more question. Best wishes to you and yours.

[@GoldieMcGoldie]

Really enjoying your channel, my 5 year plan is to purchase a a sum of land and all this is great! Maybe a discussion on leases (hunting, grazing, hay, etc ) would be awesome!

[@williamhollingworth4747]

I’m so glad I caught this channel early! Can’t wait for more videos! Id love to see Ag exemption (and specific videos about ag exemption in cattle, bee’s and deer)

[@LandownerTV]

Thanks William, I'll get to work on Ag Exemptions shortly. I appreciate the comment.

[@RJ-ox8on]

@@LandownerTV please do, very interested in learning how much of what kind of stock we need to qualify

[@cristiansouza2404]

@@LandownerTV how can I get in touch with you ?

[@tawnymichelle]

This is super helpful! So glad we found your videos.

[@stevenjonah]

Incredible, sir. You're immediately my favorite channel. 🙏

[@tysonscorner6278]

Keep after it man. The videos are great!

[@LandownerTV]

Thank you! I appreciate the feedback.

[@franciscodanconia4324]

My grandparents had 130 acres outside Mexia in East Texas. They ran about 40 head on mixed native and coastal. And the grasses were never fertilized and never overgrazed. I’d love to find some property in the Hill country in about 5 years. Gig em!

[@HarshPOD888]

Thank you for the information!

[@Splenda2021]

Dang you are good you know your stuff omg thx

[@jeanwest1058]

Good video!

[@intrude6014]

Don’t forget those salt blocks for your cows . And a clean water source. A stock tank !

[@brodericklancaster7237]

I noticed most places have "horses allowed" or none allowed, is this a generalization for livestock being allowed or does it have to specify, specifically goats, chickens, hunting dogs? Thanks in advance 😅

[@DanielL-ee7fe]

According to my observation most Ranches are over grazed.

[@Kberrysal]

I am thinking about moving to college station texas, and looking for buy 40 to 100 acres of land so what would be the carrying rate for there

[@LandownerTV]

It really depends on what area you're be buying in and what species mix of forages are on the ground. There are very productive soils on the Brazos Bottomland that can carry a cow per 3 acres if managed well. Other areas around College Station are sandy and hilly and would struggle to support a cow per 8-10 acres over time.

[@bonsukan]

I think I understand the concept of carrying capacity but the concept of a stocking rate is I’m still unsure of. I noticed in the video that you spent a lot of time talking about carrying capacities, but then you throw in the term stocking rate in conjunction with carrying capacity but don’t really explain by example so that the concept hits home with me. Can you please explain further? Thanks.

[@justinduke8135]

Stocking rate and carrying capacity is the same

[@lustysteve1420]

year long ill say cow with calf probably 7 - 8 acres - South Texas if no drought

[@garymunyak6753]

Cattle needs to go the way hog and poultry. Or get those pastures irrigated. 1500 acres with 100 head isn't cutting it.

[@stevenjonah]

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