Jim NeelResearch Animal Scientist

USDA-ARS Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center

Beaver, WV

Forage Systems for Grass-finished Livestock

Silvopasture

Why Silvopasture?

Bring Wooded Areas Into

Forage Production

Increased Biodiversity ?

Aesthetic Value ?

Staggered Forage Development ?

May 7, 2003

Improved Nutritional Value ?

Silvopasture Establishment

October 2002

April 2003

June 2003

July 2003

Forage Production

Key Findings• Compared to open pasture, silvopasture will

produce about ½ the dry matter per unit area

• Productivity fluctuates with weather conditions– Cloudy conditions further reduces energy available

to plants

• When estimating available dry matter, be sure to account for rock cover and stumps

Nutritive Value

Key Findings

• Silvopasture generally:– Greater nitrogen content (Crude Protein)

– Lower nonstructural carbohydrate content (TNC)

– Equivalent TDN content (Lower TDN:CP)

– May want to think in terms of using it as a supplement to open pasture (High CP)