Land and forage-to-animal relationships

1. Carrying capacity: The maximum stocking rate that will achieve a target level of animal performance, in a specified grazing method, that can be applied over a defined period without deterioration of the ecosystem.
2. Stocking density: The relationship between the numbers of animals and the specific unit of land being grazed at any one point in time.
3. Stocking rate: The relationship between the number of animals and the grazing management unit utilized over a specified time period.

Measurement of forage

1. Forage accumulation: The increase in forage mass per unit area over a specified period of time.
2. Forage mass: The total dry weight of forage per unit area of land, usually above ground level and at a defined reference level.