Transcript Slide 1

Southeast Silvopasture Clipboard
Silvopasture: Combines timber, for longer-term returns, with forage and livestock production, to generate an annual income.
Improve overall economic performance of an agricultural enterprise through diversification.
Maintain or increase tree growth and timber production.
Improve cool-season forage production
Allow warm-season forage production with careful canopy management
Provide shade and windbreak for livestock
Aid in erosion control and improve water quality
Enhance wildlife habitat and increase wildlife populations
Enhance aesthetics and property values
Silvopasture
Layout
Options
Trees To Silvopasture
Grass To Silvopasture
Estimating Canopy relationship to
TPA and BA – 10” DBH Loblolly
• Site Preparation and Weed
Control are imperative to
success.
• Number of trees and Layout
to meet landowner
objectives.
• Protect from grazing until
trees are large enough to
withstand livestock
• Prune to enhance trees and
provide sun light to the
ground for forage production.
• Never remove more than 50%
canopy
• Desired canopy
– 25 – 45% for Warm Season
Grasses
– 35 – 65% for Cool Season
Grasses
• Don’t thin more than 50% of
basal area at one time. If initial
stocking is greater than 100 sq.
ft. basal area; thin twice over
five years.
• Thin additionally in five year
intervals or when canopy is
greater than 45%
• Prune to a height of 18 feet.
NRCS-21Nov2006
Rules of Thumb for Managing Rotational Grazing Systems
Use higher quality parts of plants for grazing, top 1/3 of leaf.
Do not force animals to eat low quality basal leaves and
stems.
Match rotation time to forage growth.
Maintain sufficient leaf area for photosynthesis.
Rotate animals to new paddocks before they graze new regrowth.
Plan forage program around peak forage quality.
Supply adequate mineral supplements.
Fertilize for forage production and tree growth.
Plant legumes for nitrogen fixation and forage production.
Locate salt and minerals to encourage uniform livestock
distribution.
Generally Recommended Wire and Wire Spacing
Fencing
Polywire or polytape are most commonly used for
temporary or cross fencing of paddocks.
Watering
When water is made available within 800 feet, livestock
water more often, and more evenly utilize forage across
the paddock.
NRCS-21Nov2006