Written by Ned B. Klopfenstein, W.J. Rietveld, Richard C. Carman, Terry R. Clason, Steven H. Sharrow, Gene Garrett, and Bruce E. Anderson.
Editor's Note
The last edition of The Overstory introduced the integration of animals as a key component in forestry and agroforestry systems. This edition introduces the specific case of integrating livestock and forestry, called "silvopasture." The following article has been adapted from a technical note published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agroforestry Center. Further information and references are found following the article.
Definition
Silvopasture as an agroforestry practice is specifically designed and managed for the production of trees, tree products, forage and livestock. Silvopasture results when forage crops are deliberately introduced or enhanced in a timber production system, or timber crops are deliberately introduced or enhanced in a forage production system. As a silvopasture, timber and pasture are managed as an integrated system.
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