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)