Carrying capacity and profitability arc strongly linked in the sheep and beef cattle industries. However, few benchmarks arc available for farmers to determine if they are operating close to the potential of their land. The French model commonly quoted used results from small plot grazing experiments to predict that 1.3 dry sheep equivalents (DSE) a hectare could be carried for every 25 millimetres of average rainfall in excess of 250mm. However, factors such as soil fertility, soil type and rainfall distribution may also affect herbage production. Results used were all from sites in South Australia. Highest rainfall was 650mm.
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