In Australia, farmers often use Dry Sheep Equivalents (DSE), Adult Equivalents (AE), Large Stock Units (LSU), and Livestock Units (LU) to estimate feed demand and stocking rates.
Here's a simple guide to what these terms mean and why they matter.
Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE)
What it is:
The DSE is the most common unit used in Australia. It’s a standard way to describe the amount of feed needed to maintain a 2-year-old Merino sheep (45–50 kg) that's dry (not pregnant or lactating).
Why it matters:
By using DSEs, farmers can compare the feed needs of different livestock (like cattle or goats) on a common scale.
Example:
One dry Merino ewe = 1 DSE.
A lactating ewe with lamb = around 2 DSEs.
A beef cow might be worth 10 to 20 DSEs, depending on her weight and whether she’s pregnant or lactating.
Adult Equivalent (AE)
What it is:
The AE is mainly used in northern Australia for cattle. It represents the feed requirement of a 450 kg (liveweight) dry (non-pregnant, non-lactating) Bos taurus cow.
Why it matters:
AE helps graziers plan herd sizes and grazing pressure, especially in extensive pastoral regions.
Example:
One 450 kg cow = 1 AE.
A heavier or lactating cow might be 1.2 to 1.5 AEs.
Weaners (young cattle) might be 0.5 AE.
Large Stock Unit (LSU)
What it is:
The LSU is more commonly used in government reports and larger-scale comparisons. It's similar to the AE but can vary slightly depending on the system (sheep, beef, dairy, etc.).
Why it matters:
LSUs allow for comparisons across different farming systems or regions.
Example:
One mature beef cow = 1 LSU.
Ten dry sheep = roughly 1 LSU.
Five goats = about 1 LSU (depending on breed and size).
Livestock Unit (LU)
What it is:
The LU is a general term used internationally (especially in Europe) for similar purposes as LSU or DSE. In Australia, LU isn't used as often — but it appears in some technical documents.
Why it matters:
If you're reading international research or working on projects with overseas partners, you might see LU used.
Example:
The LU is usually based on the feed requirement of a 500 kg dairy cow.
Quick Reference Table
Term | Standard Animal | Notes |
DSE | 50 kg dry Merino sheep | Most common in southern Australia |
AE | 450 kg dry beef cow | Common in northern cattle systems |
LSU | Mature beef cow | Used for broad reporting |
LU | 500 kg dairy cow | More common internationally |
Converting Between DSEs, AEs, and LSUs
Different systems use different "base" animals, so there’s no single universal conversion rate. However, rule-of-thumb estimates make it easy to work between them.
Typical conversions:
Measurement | Equivalent |
1 AE | 8 to 10 DSE |
1 LSU | 8 to 10 DSE |
1 AE | Approximately 1 LSU |
Key points:
A Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE) is much smaller than an Adult Equivalent (AE) or Large Stock Unit (LSU).
AE and LSU are roughly comparable because both are based on adult cattle.
Exact values can vary depending on animal size, breed, and whether the animal is pregnant, lactating, or growing rapidly.
Example:
If a 450 kg cow = 1 AE, and 1 AE ≈ 10 DSE, then 100 cows would represent about 1,000 DSE.
Practical Tip: Use Adjusted DSE Tables
Many farm advisors and research bodies publish adjusted DSE tables that account for different animal classes, weights, and physiological stages.
Example (approximate):
45 kg dry Merino ewe: 1 DSE
45 kg lactating Merino ewe with lamb: 2 DSE
450 kg dry cow: 10 DSE
450 kg lactating cow with calf: 14 DSE
Using these adjusted values during drought or seasonal transitions will give you a much more accurate picture of your farm’s carrying capacity.
Livestock Unit Quick-Reference Table
