Dry Sheep Equivalent

Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE) is a standard unit frequently used in Australia to compare the feed requirements of different classes of stock or to assess the carrying capacity and potential productivity of a given farm or area of grazing land.

The unit represents the amount of feed required by a two year old, 45 kg (some sources state 50 kg) Merino sheep (wether or non-lactating, non-pregnant ewe) to maintain its weight. One DSE is equivalent to 7.60 megajoule (MJ) per day.

The carrying capacity of a farm is commonly determined in Australia by expressing the number of stock carried during a period of feed shortage in terms of their DSEs.^[1]

Benchmarking standards used by Grazing for Profit programmes quote that one labour unit (40 hours) is required for 6,000 DSE (other benchmarking standards set the figure at 7,000 DSE).^[2]

See also

• Livestock Unit, a similar measure of stocking level using an adult dairy cow as the base unit.

References and notes

1. ^ For example see Gaden, C. A.; J. M. Scott, E. Hall and J. A. Hoad (2003). "Learning how to increase the profitability and sustainability of grazing enterprises by comparing three different input and grazing management systems" (pdf). Newsletters. Cicerone Project. http://www.cicerone.org.au/archives/newsletter27.pdf. Retrieved on 2006-10-18. . Also "Monthly Newsletter – April 2003: Sheep enterprises remain in front of cattle – Farm Benchmarking Results" (pdf). Newsletters. 8x5 Wool Profit Program. 2003. http://www.8x5.com.au/documents/MNLApr2003V1.pdf. Retrieved on 2006-10-18. 
2. ^ Walcha News, 27/3/2003

• "Sustainable carrying capacity: Monitoring tools" (pdf). Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, Australia. 2005. http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/NRENSR.nsf/93a98744f6ec41bd4a256c8e00013aa9/e71ebd0dec6aeaf2ca25712c0010bc62/$FILE/ATTLUPSH/Carrying%20Capacity%20MT.pdf. Retrieved on 2006-10-18. 
• McLaren, Colin (1997). "Dry Sheep Equivalents for comparing different classes of livestock". Information Notes. Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, Australia. http://www.agronomy.com.au/download/DSEratings.pdf. Retrieved on 2006-10-20. 
• Millear, George; Anne Conway and Tony Mills (2003). "Calculating a gross margin for sheep, goat and cattle enterprises". Queensland Government: Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/sheep/5340.html. Retrieved on 2006-10-18.