SILVOPASTURE IN SOUTHEAST
Presented by:
Joshua Idassi, Ph.D.
Extension Forester
Tennessee State University
Cooperative Extension Program
SILVOPASTURE
• Integrates trees,
forage and
livestock
• Environmental
issues, i.e.,
biodiversity,
watershed and
scenic beauty are
critical
SILVOPASTURE
• Grazing goats
make beneficial
use of a
vegetation
resource
• Tool to manage
forest trees and
their understory
In Silvopasture
• Tree are combined
• Improved pasture
• Forming an
integrated
• Intensive animal
husbandry
Why Silvopasture?
• A tool designed to improve
income opportunities on farms
and ranches
• Timber, pasture and livestock
are managed as an integrated
system
Planning Considerations
• Explore economic and
environmental issues
• Explore local land use, zoning,
cost-share and tax regulations
• Other implications
Plant Considerations
• Potential markets
• Explore soil types
• Climatic conditions
• Species compatibility
Plant Considerations
• Select and use trees and
planting/harvesting patterns
• Suitable for the site
• Provide desired economic and
environmental returns
Livestock Selection
• Cattle, sheep, goats, horses,
turkeys, chickens, ostriches,
emus, rhea, deer, elk, lamas etc.
• Be careful with browsing
animals
• Broadleaf trees are more prone
A silvopasture practice
diversifies farm income; can
minimize the need for
chemical or mechanical
vegetation control; and can
reduce hay and feeding costs
for livestock.
BENEFITS
• Trees are managed
for high-value
sawlogs
• Trees provide shade
and shelter and
forage
• Based on spacing
Cattle fertilize these pecan trees with nitrogen and
it causes the grass to grow. By grazing, cattle gives
extra profit from the beef. Helps where we don't
have to mow as much.
• Tree species selected for a silvopastoral
practice should be marketable, including
• Wood and other products such as nuts or
fruits, offering another source of income in
addition to livestock.
ROTATIONAL GRAZING
In a rotational grazing system, a
successful silvopastoral practice
requires understanding forage
growth and managing the timing
and duration of grazing to avoid
browsing of young tree seedlings
or the elongating shoots.
Cattle are rotationally grazed among single, double and
triple rows of pitch pine / loblolly pine hybrids and
black walnut trees. The pines, planted on either side of
the black walnut trees, help train the black walnut trees
to grow straight for high-quality lumber production.
GRAZING COSTS
• UMC- Center for Agroforestry is working to
reduce hay costs and extend the livestock grazing
season through silvopasture practices.
• Winter hay costs for feeding one steer can reach
$91; the managed grazing practice of silvopasture
can reduce this amount significantly.
•Well managed silvopastures can reduce winter
feed costs by approximately 20%.
http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/practices/sp.asp
MANAGEMENT TOOLS
1. Tree harvesting, thinning and pruning
2. Fertilization
3. Planting legumes for N fixation
4. Rotational Grazing/burning
5. Water resources
6. Fencing and others
A BUNDLE OF BENEFITS
1. Provide income from Livestock sales
2. Selective sale of trees and timber
products
3. Forage enhance livestock growth
and production
4. Other secondary products
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
1. Wildlife diversity and water quality
2. Enhance soil fertility
3. Enhance park-like setting
4. Less concerns of odors, dust, noise
and diseases in contrast to
concentrated livestock operations
DRAWBACKS
1. Fencing costs can be very high
2. Crooked high quality hardwoods
3. May involve intensive pruning
REFERENCES
1. Photos from Dr. An Peischel collections
2. http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/
practices/sp.as
3. Handout references