How many cows can you fit in an acre?

Answer 1

Well, since "living" in a grassy area is a bit different from grazing in that particular area (which they will do, anyway), only one or two small-framed cows may be able to live in a 10 acre pasture, provided that pasture is divided into much smaller parcels or paddocks so that the majority of the ten acre area gets needed rest/recovery for grasses to grow. If possible, a small "sacrifice" area may need to be created for times when the pasture cannot be grazed due to periods of dormancy or snow which is where these two animals can be fed hay during that time.

Answer 2

This all depends on location, time of year, pasture quality and the breed of dairy cattle in question. The related question below asks the same question in a more general sense, and thus would answer this same question in a similar matter.

Answer 3

It depends on how lush the greenery is. It's been a while since I dealt with this, so someone may be able to "tighten up" my answers, but I believe I recollect something like the following: In semi-dessert West Texas, it may take ten acres (of very thin grass) to support one cow, whereas in the coastal, almost-swamp lands of East Texas, you might be able to support 5 cows on a single acre.

Of course, just to be silly, if we hexagonally close pack them, you might fit 2,000 very cranky cows on a single 43,560 sq.ft. acre (assuming a single layer deep). If we go more layers (or younger, or skinnier cows) then we could get many more on that acre. Twenty layers deep in calves and we might get a million of those critters on a single acre. (Of course, that assumes the pile doesn't tumble over.)

Answer 4

There are just too many variables at stake to be able to fully answer this question. Numbers could be anywhere from 0.5 acre per month to over 20 acres per month (or year). Please see the related questions and links below for more information.