Green Horizons

"Creating a Woodland Silvopasture Using Small Ruminants"

By: CHARLOTTE CLIFFORD-RATHERT | State Extension Specialist-Small Ruminants Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri

The practice of silvopasture can increase the versatility of land and increase farm incomes. It is of interest to many landowners and particularly relevant to the limited resource farmer. Silvopasture is defined as the practice of integrating timber production, forage management, and livestock production. The result: landowners gain potential annual income from trees, forages and livestock on acreage likely not in production. Additionally, the amount of fertilizers, herbicides, and feed are reduced. The practice of silvopasture also provides benefits such as reduced moisture loss in comparison to an open pasture, shade and protection for livestock, and soil fertility improvement for tree and forage growth. While most silvopastures are designed with cattle in mind, both goats and sheep can be used. Goats are considered beneficial "herbicides" as they prefer to browse from the top of a plant and work down. This makes goats ideal for controlling unwanted vegetation that would compete with trees and other desirable vegetation for nutrients and water. Using livestock to control specific vegetation is also termed "targeted grazing".

A plant inventory conducted by a professional botanist can be helpful in the early planning stages of establishing silvopasture. Many of the woody plants that are native to Missouri are also sources for tannins which can serve as an important factor in the natural control of intestinal parasites of small ruminants.

A Forest Management Plan or Timber Stand Improvement Plan can be helpful in determining the trees to be retained and those to be removed. The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Consulting Foresters Association can identify professional foresters to conduct surveys, create plans and assist landowners in implementing their plans.

When designing a silvopasture for any type of livestock, one should consider the location of trees that can serve as a shelter from the weather. The placement of shaded areas and windbreaks can be included in the design. Small ruminants, in particular, need shelter from wind, rain, and snow. For instance, a grove of cedar trees can function as a shelter and windbreak and should be retained in a small ruminant, silvopasture design. Goats will eat cedar for the tannin content during certain times of the year, so this also must be taken into consideration. Providing or leaving other tannin-containing plants could reduce the stress on the cedar trees. If the forage base is weeds and grass rather than woody material, sheep would perform better than goats. Sheep tend to prefer weeds and grass, while goats prefer woody material.

Fencing is another important aspect to be considered and will be an investment. Five-to-seven strand high tensile electric fence works well as an exterior fence to contain goats and sheep while keeping predators at bay. Barbed-wire fence is workable if it is 5-7 strands or installed with 2-3 offset electric polywire strands in-between the barbed wire. Temporary fencing works well for interior fences to establish rotational grazing paddocks and to protect young trees. Access to water is a priority when establishing any silvopasture. The NRCS has publications available that show a producer how to assemble different types of fencing as well as waterers.

Stocking rate for goats and sheep in a silvopasture is dependent on whether the goal is vegetation management as a forage or for elimination. To manage vegetation for sustainable browsing, start browsing late spring, rest vegetation for at least 6-8 weeks and do not defoliate in the fall. The area should be divided into paddocks of no more than 1-2 acres. The number of goats or sheep per acre is determined by the amount of vegetation present and the animals are rotated into the next paddock after 75-80% of the vegetation is consumed. Vegetation requires at least 30-60 days for foliage to return to browsing status under ideal conditions. Under drought conditions, more time is required for the vegetation to return to an amount that can sustain the animals, and in extreme drought conditions, the vegetation may not recover fully. Not all paddocks will contain the same amount or quality of vegetation, so the time of browsing and recovery will vary. To control parasites in small ruminants, it is recommended that vegetation be rested a minimum of 30-60 days and allowed to recover to a height that parasite larva will not be consumed by the goats or sheep. If the goal is to eliminate vegetation, a greater number of animals may be required and browsing will start in early spring, rotation rest period shortened to 6 weeks, and vegetation defoliated through the fall. Each successive year, the returning vegetation will decrease and the stocking rate must be adjusted. It may take 3-4 years to eliminate vegetation using goats or sheep. Word of advice: have an alternative plan to feed the animals in case of drought! In winter, most foliage will be dormant or missing, goats and sheep will need supplemental feed and hay. This is a critical time since the females are usually pregnant during the winter months.

Today's economics forces us to look for alternative ways to diversify agricultural production and be more resourceful. The primary constraint to adopting silvopasture practices is a lack of familiarity. By integrating goats into forested areas to transform and integrate a developing silvopasture onto managed farms, environmental and economic benefits can be realized. This is especially important for the limited resource farmer.