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Silvopasture

alternative practice names:

Silvopasture is the deliberate integration and management of trees and livestock on the same land. Silvopasture can occur through the thinning of woods to allow adequate light for desirable forages for grazing animals to grow underneath the canopy or by the intentional planting of trees into agricultural grazing lands.


The primary goal of silvopasture is to establish 30-50% shade coverage to reduce heat stress on livestock without significantly impacting forage growth. However, silvopasture systems can vary widely, ranging from savanna-like landscapes with scattered trees and low canopy cover to more densely treed areas with up to 50% canopy cover, resembling grazing in the woods. Silvopasture can be designed to focus more on timber production by managing high-quality trees or can be more livestock-focused, providing pasture and shade to improve animal comfort and access to additional fodder. Ultimately, the objective is to enhance the economic and ecological productivity of the land, creating higher yields per acre compared to managing forest or pasture alone.

When used, in what regions in the U.S. is the practice found: 

Northwest, West, Upper Midwest, Northeast, Southeast

FARM SIZE 

When used, typically found on farms of the following sizes:

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Practice Benefits 

Increased yields: Silvopasture allows a farmer to capture more sunlight and water on their farm by having layers of light and water capture (leaves and roots), thus increasing overall land productivity. By doing this with trees that either produce something of value on their own (timber or tree crop) or bolster the forage or forage efficiency of livestock (reduce heat stress on animals and forage in summer, reduce cold stress in winter, edible leaves or tree crop for livestock), the overall output of the land will increase. Reducing heat stress will often result in the largest yield realized by the farmer, which will increase forage growth, feed efficiency, and conception rates for cows.


Improved land resilience: Trees moderate the extreme temperature by cooling in the summer heat and reducing wind loads from winds in the winter. They also reduce erosion by intercepting impacts from rain and wind, have deep root systems that draw up water and minerals to the surface and build soil, increase mycorrhizal fungal populations, and provide habitat for beneficial pollinators and other wildlife on the farm. All of these ecosystem services mitigate climate and weather extremes that could impact farms' economic and ecological health.


Diversified income: By growing a second crop on grazing land (trees), a farm can generate another revenue source from the same acreage. Tree crops (nuts, fruit, edible pods, flowers for bees, nectar, etc.) and timber provide another income source without affecting grazing output if designed well. Silvopasture creates a beautiful landscape that can make agritourism much more appealing on the farm.


Reduced off-farm input requirements: By increasing available forage, silvopasture can reduce supplemental forage needs during the grazing season. The soil health benefits trees present can also reduce the need for fertilizer purchases.

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Implementation Insights

Site-specific or Farm-specific requirements 

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  • Experience with grazing: Operations that are already grazing livestock will likely be able to transition to silvopasture than those without existing grazing infrastructure and management experience. 

  • Native vegetation: Trees and shrubs should not be established in natural areas where woody vegetation does not occur naturally. Introducing such vegetation in areas such as naturally treeless grasslands can create problems with invasive species and disrupt natural processes and ecosystems. 

  • Heat stress: A general trend is that farms that have high rates of heat stress with little livestock shelter will see the greatest benefit from adding trees to their pastures. This often means that dairy farms without cooling barns and that are trying to graze for most of their cow's forage intake will see the greatest benefit from providing shade through silvopasture. 

Required Capital Expenditures (CapEx)

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  • Trees: To establish a silvopasture system, trees or other woody vegetation must be planted in pasture. Tree seedlings must be purchased as potted plants or bareroot stock. The cost of trees will vary depending on species, size, type of stock, location, and access to nurseries.

  • Silvopasture plan: Silvopasture has a low infrastructure cost but the largest barrier to implementation is creating a thoughtful plan that allows for grazing without harming the trees. This may require outside consultation or a farmer educating themselves on how to plant trees or thin trees to work with their grazing system. 

  • Tree protection system: If planting trees into a pasture, a tree must be protected from browsing and rubbing by livestock and wildlife, girdling by voles or other rodents, and smothering by weeds. Typically, this is done with tree tubes and electric fencing but other methods of protection exist.

Required Operational Expenditures (OpEx)

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  • Planting labor: This is the most significant expense if hired out or can be done by the farmer.

  • Establishment and ongoing maintenance: Maintenance through the establishment years is critical to ensure trees grow adequately at the desired density. This can include irrigation, mulching, weeding, pruning, and maintenance of fencing and the tree protection system. The farmer can do this with little guidance or hire out the work. Thinning trees, once established, may also be an expense in the future.

  • Replacement costs: If successful, most trees will survive, and few will need to be replaced. However, replanting and adding trees may be needed to maintain the proper percentage of shade.

Implementation Considerations

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  • Dual management: Farmers must be both adept graziers and aware of the needs of trees for long-term silvopasture success. Planting trees often changes how a farm grazes, and grazing under a thinned woodland silvopasture is different than agricultural pasture land. 

  • Species selection: Proper selection of regionally adapted tree and forage species and varieties ensures compatibility and long-term success. Species should be selected in consultation with a local expert and must be well suited to local climate and soil conditions and complement one another in terms of growth patterns and resource use. Selected species should also align with management capabilities and intended markets for tree products. Care should be taken to not select species that are potentially invasive to the region.

  • Overgrazing: A farm must establish enough shade for their herd in the summer in every paddock or enough paddocks so that animals are not crowding around the same trees during the warm or cold months, which will negatively impact the ground and trees. 

  • Tree protection: A common problem associated with silvopasture is adequate tree protection during the establishment phase. Trees can take anywhere from 3-10 years before they have grown enough to withstand minimal browse and rubbing by cattle. During that time, trees must be protected (usually with electric fence and tree tubes) which requires diligent management from the grazier.

Financial Considerations and Revenue Streams

FEDERAL COST-SHARE PROGRAM

Funding is available for this practice through USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Notes:

  • Check with the local NRCS office on payment rates and practice requirements relevant to your location.


FINANCIAL RESOURCES, TOOLS, AND CASE STUDIES

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Environmental Impacts

REDUCES FARM GREENHOUSE GAS FOOTPRINT

Planting trees along the agricultural landscape or converting croplands to grasslands can change factors associated with greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, particularly through increases in soil carbon content via increased litterfall and root biomass production/turnover, together with reduced soil disturbance. Increased soil carbon content is likely to increase carbon dioxide emissions through heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration in both treed areas and grasslands.


IMPROVES WATER QUALITY

Silvopasture improves water quality by reducing soil erosion and nutrient runoff and enhancing water infiltration. The presence of trees stabilizes soil, filters excess nutrients, and promotes better water retention, which decreases the transport of pollutants into nearby water bodies.


SUPPORTS BIODIVERSITY

Silvopasture supports biodiversity by creating complex habitats that provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for a variety of wildlife, including birds, mammals, insects, and microorganisms. The integration of trees into pastureland also enhances pollinator health by increasing the diversity of floral resources and habitat available for pollinators and other beneficial insects, especially when native tree species are used.

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Alignment with FARM Program

This practice is not included in the FARM program.

Contents

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We're always eager to update the website with the latest research, implementation insights, financial case studies, and emerging practices. Use the link above to share your insights. 

We're always eager to update the website with the latest research, implementation insights, financial case studies, and emerging practices. Use the link above to share your insights. 

Contents

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Practice Overview

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Practical Insights.png
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Research Results.png
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Silvopasture is the deliberate integration and management of trees and livestock on the same land. Silvopasture can occur through the thinning of woods to allow adequate light for desirable forages for grazing animals to grow underneath the canopy or by the intentional planting of trees into agricultural grazing lands.


The primary goal of silvopasture is to establish 30-50% shade coverage to reduce heat stress on livestock without significantly impacting forage growth. However, silvopasture systems can vary widely, ranging from savanna-like landscapes with scattered trees and low canopy cover to more densely treed areas with up to 50% canopy cover, resembling grazing in the woods. Silvopasture can be designed to focus more on timber production by managing high-quality trees or can be more livestock-focused, providing pasture and shade to improve animal comfort and access to additional fodder. Ultimately, the objective is to enhance the economic and ecological productivity of the land, creating higher yields per acre compared to managing forest or pasture alone.

Practices and technologies

Silvopasture

alternative practice name: