Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Booneville, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #160619
Title: HARDWOOD SILVOPASTURE MANAGEMENT IN NORTH AMERICA

Author
item GARRETT, H - UNIV OF MISSOURI
item KERLEY, M - UNIV OF MISSOURI
item LADYMAN, K - UNIV OF MISSOURI
item WALTER, W - UNIV OF MISSOURI
item GODSEY, L - UNIV OF MISSOURI
item VANSAMBEEK, J - US FOREST SERVICE
item Brauer, David

Submitted to: Agroforestry Systems
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2004
Publication Date: 11/1/2004
Citation: Garrett, H.E., Kerley, M.S., Ladyman, K.P., Walter, W.D., Godsey, L.D., Vansambeek, J.W., Brauer, D.K. 2004. Hardwood silvopasture management in north america. Agroforestry Systems. 61:21-33.

Interpretive Summary: Hardwood silvopasture practice offers landowners in temperate climate of the central United States an excellent opportunity to produce beef and high valuable wood products, however, data for the designs and management of such practices are limited and fragmented. This article summarizes the current literature available regarding the management of hardwood silvopastures. This review provides a comprehensive gathering of the research results to date and should be of interest to landowners and agricultural/forestry professionals who advise landowner.

Technical Abstract: Hardwood silvopasture management has great potential throughout the Central Hardwood Region in the United States, but has been little utilized due to the lack of available information on its application. However, more than one-third of farm woodlands within the region are being grazed without the benefit of the application of silvopasture principles. The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry has undertaken a major research initiative to further develop and build upon the fragmented information that is available on hardwood silvopastoral management. Ten years of screening forage species (grasses and legumes) for shade tolerance have clearly demonstrated that many cool-season forages benefit from 40% to 60% shade when grown in Missouri - a finding that could likely be extrapolated to the entire region of the Midwestern United States. Grazing trials have proven to be successful in the short-term. Long-term research is currently underway to fully document the interactions between hardwood trees, cattle, and forage.