Livestock in woodlots
Ryan Karroll and Austin Grove
As agroforestry continues to gain attention, arguably the most common question is how someone can benefit both the livestock and the woodland. There is an extremely beneficial relationship between livestock and forests. Significant revenue can be gained by raising livestock in addition to timber sales. On an annual basis, utilizing woodland resources such as raising livestock generates a much higher return than simply performing timber harvests (which generate revenue over a much longer period). The symbiotic relationship not only yields two forms of revenue, but it benefits both the forest and the animals.
The use of goats to remove invasives is an example of this relationship. By feeding on invasive species, goats remove unwanted vegetation in the area. This means the landowner does not have to provide an outside source of food, and/or use other land plots to grow feed. Also, overgrown areas can be cleared with little to no effort, giving way to wildlife benefits, recreation abilities, and a more aesthetically pleasing forest. The article gives the example of a landowners sighting waterfowl on their property after allowing goats to clear brush. Landowners are also increasing the quality of the carrying capacity for livestock by planting hardwood species that produce a stable food source such as acorns. Not only are these trees valuable when harvested, but they now cut feed costs for landowners. Aspen is a great species for agroforestry use. Aspen stands can contain up to ten times more forage than conifer stands, and the diverse grasses, forbs, and shrubs that grow in these areas are a valuable resource for livestock (1).
Forests are also a great form of shelter for livestock. Although not as secure as a barn, forests give animals room to reside. This means no cleaning of stalls or providing large amounts of bedding. Animals still require forms of shelter however, in order to survive harsh weather.
There are negative side effects of raising livestock in forests however (which are not covered by the article). According to the Stewardship Notes from the Indiana Division of Forestry, the food value of 15 to 30 acres of pastured woodland is equivalent to the food value of 1 acre of pasture land (2). Livestock do not treat the trees well. The livestock can trample and eat seedling. These animals will also rub on the tree and peel the bark off. This creates wounds on the tree exposing the tree to pathogens. Livestock will also compact the soil which damages the forest floor. This compaction also harms the first few inches of the trees roots furthermore damaging the tree. These damages done to the tree not only hurts the tree but also decreases the value of the tree. Timber buyers will pay significantly less for a grazed woodlots than they would for a non-grazed woodlot. If the chainsaw doesn’t kill the trees the damages done to the trees from the livestock will kill the trees. Because the livestock trample over the land and eat many of the leaves that fall. The forest floor lacks a duff layer that is a crucial component of the forest. Because of soil compaction and the lack of a duff layer subsurface runoff is very high in woodlots with livestock. Livestock and wild critters do not mix well. Therefore woodlots with livestock lack wildlife and other important organisms.
Citation
- Salmon, Olivia, Chad Reid, and Darren McAvoy. Forest Grazing: Managing Your Land for Trees, Forage, and Livestock. Logan, Utah?: Utah State U, 2007. Web. 15 Apr. 2016. <http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/NR_FF_016.pdf
- “Stewardship.” SpringerReference (n.d.): n. pag. Http://in.gov. Web. 11 Apr. 2016.