COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF , LEXINGTON, KY, 40546

FOR-113

Agroforestry Silvopasture Deborah B. Hill, Department of Forestry

n the practice of silvopasture, you have three simul- Itaneous crops: the crop, the forage crop, and the livestock crop. As with other practices, if you plan to use biocides (pesticides, fungicides, insecticides) and/or chemical fertilizers, you must be sure that all of the component parts of the proposed system can tolerate the additives. Foresters have a long-standing attitude that and do not mix (because of soil compaction and rubbing around and on the trees by the livestock), but in this case, you are intentionally putting them together, ideally for mutual

The silvopasture technique lets livestock be pastured Cattle and pine trees are perhaps the most common benefit. between rows of trees. combination in a silvopastoral system, but such a system can be any combination of something from tree crop you have selected, provide short-term crops the animal kingdom plus one long-term (tree) plant such as fruits or nuts (or seven-year-old Christmas component and one annual (forage) plant component. trees), while allowing the trees to contribute their Successful combinations could include or goats environmental services such as soil erosion control on grass in fruit orchards or Christmas tree planta- and diversity. Another option for the trees is to scatter tions, “weeder” geese in pecan orchards, and even clumps of trees throughout the pastureland. While the honeybees in a fruit tree orchard with a clover or tree component provides shade and diversity on the alfalfa ground cover. site, the presence of the livestock contributes to the fertility of the forage crop. Classically, silvopasture systems are set up with single or double rows of trees between which are wide alleys Some considerations when selecting the tree compo- nent include: year or two of establishment of the tree crop, while •• What do you want to market (fruit, nuts, Christmas theof the tree forage seedlings crop arefor stilllivestock very vulnerable,grazing. In thethe land first- trees/greens, timber, fence posts)? owner could mow the forage grasses and use that as for livestock rather than allowing the animals •• Do markets already exist in your area for those into the area. In Kentucky, many cattle farmers have products, or will you have to create them? implemented for their livestock, •• Is the proposed tree species a tap-rooted one so that the tree roots will be less likely to compete for crop and the animals. So one possibility of implement- moisture and nutrients with the forage crop? ingwhich silvopasture has proven on to cattle-raisingbe beneficial tofarms both isthe to forage plant the tree crop along the fence lines that separate the •• Does the tree component yield a high-value product different paddocks for the grazing animals. A single in the short term, the long term, or both? or double line of electric fence on the exposed side of •• Is the tree species appropriate for your soil condi- the seedlings ought to keep the animals from either tions, moisture availability, and topography? grazing on or stepping on the small tree seedlings. In time, the tree component would be tall enough to •• Does the proposed tree species cast a heavy or light provide shade for the animals, and, depending on what shade (heavy is better for shading the livestock; light is better for the health of the forage crop)?

Agriculture and Natural Resources • Family and Consumer Sciences • 4-H Youth Development • Community and Leadership Development EXTENSION For the forage crop, you would want to consider: If you are already raising livestock, silvopasture may be a good agroforestry option for you to implement. •• Is the forage crop suitable for livestock grazing? Remember that you actually produce three crops with •• Is the particular forage crop suited to the soil, mois- this system—the animal crop, the forage crop and the ture and nutrient conditions of the soil? •• Can this forage tolerate some shade? an annual basis while the tree crop is developing. tree crop—and the first two can generate income on •• Can it tolerate heavy grazing? To maximize success with this system, remember that the trees will need some special care during their Agroforestry in Kentucky establishment period: Alley Cropping (FOR-111) •• Vegetation control immediately around the seedlings Riparian Buffer Strips (FOR-112) Silvopasture (FOR-113) •• Shaping of Christmas trees to maximize their mar- Windbreaks (FOR-114) ketability Forest Farming (FOR-115) •• Insect and disease monitoring for both forage and http://dept.ca.uky.edu/agc/pub-dept.asp?dept=Forestry tree crops •• Pruning of lower branches of trees grown for timber •• Accessibility for tree crops if you have fruit or nut crops to gather during the lifetime of the tree crop.

Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, M. Scott Smith, Director, Land Grant Programs, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexington, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort. Copyright © 2009 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for edu- cational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Publications are also available on the World Wide Web at www.ca.uky.edu.

Issued 8-2009