The Effect of Stocking Density on the Productivity of Yearling Female Sheep

The effect of stocking density on the productivity of yearling female sheep was studied over the 1960 grazing season. The cumulative effect on pasture productivity of previous differences in grazing pressure was eliminated by re‐randomization of the pasture after each grazing cycle. Stocking densities from 12 to 30 sheep/acre/unit of time were imposed from March to September, followed by 7 months on a common treatment to measure subsequent effects on animal fertility. Correlations were found between stocking density and (a) liveweight gains, (b) loss of weight in fasting, (c) quality and quantity of herbage residues at the end of the last grazing cycle. Subsequent animal fertility was not measurably affected.