Problem
You are planning to buy a ranch in southern New Mexico. The condition of the range is highly variable (ranging from poor to excellent) due to variable rainfall precipitation from year to year and poor water distribution. About 60% of the range is within 1 mile of water, 25% is between 1 and 2 miles of water and the remaining 15 % is over 2 miles away from water. According to the local NRCS Range Conservationist, forage production is about 150 lb/acre. The ranch has 40,000 acres, the range is grazed yearlong (12 months), and the topography is flat. Use a 35 % utilization rate for all your calculations, and as your more important recommendation for this rancher.
I. How many 850 1b cows will this range support after making appropriate adjustments of rangeland grazing use for distance to drinking water? Express your results in: (i) # of cows and (ii) Ac/AUM
II. If you decided to raise yearlings instead of cows, how many 550 lb yearling heifers could this range sustain? Express your results m: (i) # of head and (ii) Ac/AUM.