Silvopasture
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Pasturing with Silvopasture to Improve Livestock and Environmental Health
Introduces woody plantings into active livestock pastures to filter runoff, provide shade and shelter for livestock, and sequester carbon.
Description
Silvopasture integrates trees, shrub and compatible forages on the same land.
Benefits
- Provides forage, shade, and shelter for livestock.
- Shaded, cool season forage plants can be more nutritious for livestock.
- Improves water and soil quality; reduces soil erosion.
- Increases plant nutrient uptake efficiencies.
- Increase carbon sequestration and storage.
- Enhances wildlife habitat and improves biological diversity.
- Improves the value of timber products.
Planning
- Do you plan to establish a silvopasture in existing woodlands or introduce trees into a pasture?
- What type of breed of livestock do you plan to graze? Will they be suited to the silvopasture system?
- Are you prepared to rotate animals to allow areas to rest and recover?
- What types of trees do you plan to grow?
- Do they match the soil type?
Tech Notes
- Work with the Soil Conservation District to establish this practice.
- Tree and forage species must be adapted to the site and compatible with the planned management of the site.
- Do not use plants designated as federal or state noxious weeds.
- Establish forage species and understory shrubs that will provide forage, browse, seed, cover, or nesting habitat for wildlife.
- Plant trees at a density to allow acceptable forage production and wood products.
- Apply nutrients based on soil test results and the farm’s nutrient management plan.
- Protect plantings from grazing until an adequate stand is established.
Maintenance
- Manage to provide appropriate light conditions for forages, and shad/shelter conditions for livestock.
- Inspect the site to determine if the tree and shrub survival rate meets objectives.
- Replant or provide supplemental planting when survival is inadequate.
- Control competing vegetation until plantings are established.