Silvopasture | 5 Agroforestry Practices Explained скачать в хорошем качестве

Silvopasture | 5 Agroforestry Practices Explained

Silvopasture is the integrated management of livestock, forages, and woody crops. In silvopasture systems, livestock consume forages grown beneath tree crops, and in some cases the fruit, nuts, or leaves of the woody plants as well. Silvopasture systems should always utilize managed rotational grazing practices to reduce pressure on the land and trees. Well-managed livestock can be vital to making farms function as healthy ecosystems — they help clear weeds, control insects and pests, and spread and cycle nutrients through excretion. In return, trees can provide shade and shelter to animals, reducing the stress of extreme temperatures. Silvopasture can be established by adding trees to a pasture or by removing undesirable trees from a wooded area and establishing forage species. These two establishment methods vary significantly, and NRCS funding primarily supports the addition of trees to pasture. At All Seasons Farm, a grass-fed organic dairy in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, trees planted in pasture serve as paddocks for livestock that graze in the system. The trees will provide shade for animals in the hot summers and extra feed that can boost yields. Silvopasture also adds an option to harvest timber, fruit, or nuts from the tree crops, providing an extra income opportunity for farmers. Harvesting fruit or nuts from a silvopasture system requires added attention to food safety. Common sense practices, such as not allowing livestock into the area until after fruit or nuts have been harvested, reduces risk of food contamination. This video was made possible by the support of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov