Janet Steele, Area Forestry & Wildlife Agent
Diversifying land use is an area of growing interest among South Carolina landowners. Increasing focus on using forested acreage to its fullest potential has some landowners and land managers wanting to blend livestock management with timber management by implementing silvopasture. Silvopasture is not turning livestock loose in the woods to roam and graze or browse; it is not having a woodlot adjacent to a pasture that livestock has access to; and it is not “woodland grazing,” which is a recognized form of agroforestry but where only the livestock is managed, not the tree component or forages component. The US Forest Service defines silvopasture as “the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land.” Silvopasture allows landowners to produce high-quality timber while utilizing the same acreage for forage production and livestock grazing.
Silvopasture is a very intensive and interactive system where management practices are frequently implemented so that the three components (trees, livestock, and forages) will enhance each other. When properly established and appropriately managed, this system can improve and increase grazeable acreage, enhance the quality of forage and livestock health and body condition, reduce feed costs for livestock, create aesthetically appealing landscapes, reduce stress on livestock from radiant energy during hot months, improve habitat for game and non-game wildlife species, and protect soil and water quality.
Silvopasture systems can be created by planting open land such as pastures or old fields, planting recently clearcut land, or thinning an existing timber stand in conjunction with a forage establishment. In addition to establishing and managing the trees, significant infrastructure is required on the site, including perimeter fencing, partitioned fencing for rotational grazing, access to water sources, and areas to handle the livestock as needed. These expenses should be considered by the landowner or land manager, along with the cost of soil enhancements such as lime and fertilizer, weed control, and equipment purchase or rental.
Silvopasture systems can be created by planting open land such as pastures or old fields, planting recently clearcut land, or thinning an existing timber stand in conjunction with a forage establishment. In addition to establishing and managing the trees, significant infrastructure is required on the site, including perimeter fencing, partitioned fencing for rotational grazing, access to water sources, and areas to handle the livestock as needed. These expenses should be considered by the landowner or land manager, along with the cost of soil enhancements such as lime and fertilizer, weed control, and equipment purchase or rental.
Clemson University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Dr. Liliane Silva, who is also a member of the Forages and Livestock Program Team, and Area Forestry and Wildlife Agent Janet Steele have partnered to offer a two-part webinar series entitled “Silvopasture Systems of the Southeast .” These free webinars will be held via Zoom on March 7th and 14th from 1 to 3 p.m. Registration for the webinars is still open and can be found by clicking here.
The March 7th webinar will feature presentations from professors and forage specialists John Fike from Virginia Tech University and Bruno Pedreira from the University of Tennessee. Fike will give an “Introduction to silvopasture production systems.” Pedreira’s seminar will focus on “Animal health and environmental benefits of using silvopasture systems.”
The March 14th webinar will be a roundtable discussion led by Dr. Silva and will include agricultural professionals, producers and Extension personnel. The presenters will share experiences and challenges related to silvopasture systems in South Carolina and the southeastern United States.
A field day to visit a farm in Hampton County successfully utilizing silvopasture is being offered on April 11th from 8:30 a.m. to noon in Varnville, South Carolina. The exact location will be shared upon registration, and the cost to attend is $15. To register for the field day, click here. Participation in the webinar series is not required to attend the field day.
Topics to be covered during the field day are an overview of silvopasture, including information about the different types of systems, pasture establishment and management strategies, how to manage livestock in a silvopasture system and the microclimate and animal health benefits from using these systems. Alton Smith, field tour host and owner of Smith Forest Management, will discuss his challenges and experiences using a silvopasture system for commercial livestock production.
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