Silvopasture  (NRCS #381)

Applicable Systems

---

AFGLHCPC

About

---

Silvopasture, an agroforestry practice, integrates trees, forage, and livestock within one site or operation through intentional management. Silvopasture can be established by adding trees to a pasture, or by removing trees from a forest or woodlot. By implementing silvopasture, trees protect livestock from the wind and provide shade. More broadly, silvopasture benefits include improved forage quality, reduced erosion, decreased soil erosion, and improved habitat^{1 2}. Silvopasture systems are suitable for grazing dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry, and promote short-term economic revenue from grazing while trees mature.

Key aspects and considerations:

• Use intentional, intensive, interactive, and integrated management.
• Avoid overgrazing; consider rotational grazing practices.
• During establishment, protect trees from livestock.
• Ensure adequate water availability.
• Plant species suitable to the climate and site characteristics.
• Ensure adequate grazing length and rest periods.
• Plan for changes in canopy cover.
• Consider equipment availability in management plans.

Benefits and Limitations

---

Impact on Agricultural Resilience

---

• Silvopasture provides shade for livestock, helping to maintain animal wellbeing and productivity as extreme heat becomes more prevalent in portions of the Midwest. Additionally, as nighttime temperatures rise and limit livestock's ability to cool down, shade and protection provided by silvopasture systems will further enhance livestock wellbeing. Silvopasture also provides wintertime benefits, as trees help buffer against wind and reduce windchill¹⁵.
• Greater soil organic matter and resulting increases in water holding capacity may make silvopasture more resilient to drought and flooding than open pasture systems.

Regional Applicability

---

• Silvopasture is predominantly practiced in the west and southeast United States¹¹, though it remains applicable to the Midwest. In particular, the Midwest contributes substantially to U.S. livestock production, including dairy and beef cattle showcasing opportunities for silvopasture systems. According to a recent USDA survey of agroforestry producers, silvopasture was practiced by roughly 20-60% of respondents in the Midwest¹⁶. Silvopasture demonstration farms can be found in Wisconsin and Illinois through the Savanna Institute.
• However, unmanaged grazing of woodlots historically has left some across the Midwest region skeptical of silvopasture¹⁷. Importantly, silvopasture requires intentional integration and management to avoid overgrazing, making it distinctly different than woodlot grazing. Considering projected changes in rainfall patterns and an increase in extreme heat across the Midwest, silvopasture is a regionally relevant tool to increase drought tolerance in pasture while promoting livestock wellbeing.