Table: What size should cattle paddocks be for 3-day graze-outs?
There remains huge opportunity on beef farms across Ireland to further improve grassland management and getting paddock size right is one of the key ways to achieve this.
While contractors will always prefer larger fields, temporary fences can always be used to sub-divide existing field boundaries.
Where water troughs are at a central location in a field, it makes it easier to sub-divide paddocks.
The table below is a guide paddock sizes required for 500kg cattle (See details below on target grass height at grazing):
| 500kg animal | Paddock size for 3 days |
|---|---|
| 20 | 0.53ha (1.3 acres) |
| 30 | 0.75ha (1.9 acres) |
| 40 | 0.96ha (2.4 acres) |
| 50 | 1.2ha (2.9 acres) |
Farmers will know that cattle grazed on a rotational basis getting regular access to fresh grass tend to perform better and this system also allows for surplus bales to be secured when managed effectively.
Teagasc's beef specialist, Niall Kerins recently gave beef farmers some tips to keep in mind when grazing cattle this summer.
The table below details guide paddock sizes required for 300kg animals:
| 300kg animal | Paddock size for 3 days |
|---|---|
| 20 | 0.36ha (0.90ac) |
| 30 | 0.49ha (1.2ac) |
| 40 | 0.6ha (1.5ac) |
| 50 | 0.75ha (1.9ac) |
He said: "The aim during the grazing season is to grow grass in each paddock in three weeks and graze it within three days.
"Where this isn’t an option just yet, start by moving stock twice a week and build from there – use strip wires to divide up bigger fields on farm."
The table below details guide paddock sizes for suckler cows and calves:
| Cows and calves | Paddock size for three days |
| 10 cows and calves | 0.36ha (0.9ac) |
| 20 cows and calves | 0.7ha (1.8ac) |
| 30 cows and calves | 1.1ha (2.7ac) |
| 40 cows and calves | 1.5ha (3.6ac) |
"Aim to graze paddocks when grass covers are between 1,300kg DM/ha and 1,500kg DM/ha or approximately the height of three fistfuls of grass.
"At this stage, grass is at its best for energy and protein content."
To achieve a three-day grazing per group with a cover of 1300-1500 kg DM/ha pre grazing, the tables in the article give an indication as to the size of paddock depending on the system.
He said: "The motto is simple for managing grass in 2026":
- 3 weeks growing;
- 3 fist-fulls high;
- 3 days grazing.
The Teagasc adviser added that : "Small changes in grazing management can deliver high daily growth rates, improved animal health and farm profitability over time".
