(AUM) the amount of forage necessary for the sustenance of one cow or its equivalent for one month based on forage allowance of 26 dry lb (11.8 kg) per day —note 1. animal-unit month is not synonymous with animal month —note 2. the term is commonly used in three ways: (a) stocking rate, as in X ac/AUM; (b) forage allocations, as in X AUMs in allotment A; (c) utilization, as in X AUMs taken from unit B —see animal month, animal unit, animal-unit conversion factor This definition last updated 10/23/2008