Silvopastoral Systems – Benefits and Tradeoffs

One climate-smart agriculture practice that shows promise is silvopastoral systems. These are systems that combine trees, crops, and grasses as a way to graze livestock (Mauricio, et al 2019). There are many ways to implement these systems depending on the local climate. One of the popular types of silvopastoral systems is the exotic grasslands. This system combines exotic trees like pines and eucalyptus with local grasses. These systems are usually found in South America. Cattle are usually grazed among the trees and are usually Brafords or Brangus. These are crosses between Brahman cattle and Herefords and Brahman cattle and Angus breeds.

This system is a good way to use resources in an environmentally friendly way. The trees and grasslands can be used as carbon sinks as well as feeding cattle while providing shade from the heat. Silvopastoral systems provide shade, nesting areas, and feed for wildlife as well as domestic animals (Kunene, Wilson, & Myeni, 2003; Yadav, et al 2019) Including exotic grasslands, there are many different types of silvopastoral systems. These include orchards, timber production, parquizado, pine-based, and Leucaena. Each of these has unique characteristics. Orchards, as the name, says, are done in nut orchards. Timber production systems are systems where trees that are good for timber and planted and cattle are grazed under them. Once the trees have matured, they are harvested, then trees are planted to replace them and the cycle continues. Parquizado is specifically found in Paraguay. This system consists of exotic pastures that are planted beneath native trees. Pine-based systems use pine trees and Leucaena systems use the leguminous, shrubby Leucaena for additional feed and shade to cattle.

Each of these systems has unique characteristics that make them beneficial to livestock production in their respective climates. They also create a way to mitigate some of the effects that climate change has on the agricultural systems. There are tradeoffs to these systems. It takes longer to get livestock to where they can be slaughtered or produce enough milk. Grain-fed animals are fed a high concentration of nutrients that help contribute to higher and faster production. Those same nutrients are still found in silvopastoral systems, however not at such high concentrations. It takes longer to get to the same state as grain-fed animals at slaughter. This means that the animal is alive longer and consuming resources and emitting gases. However, it can be argued that the animal lives a healthier more content life and that the trees are mitigating some of the gases that are emitted.

Additional resources

Mauricio, R. M., Ribeiro, R. S., Paciullo, D. S. C., Cangussú, M. A., Murgueitio, E., Chará, J., & Estrada, M. X. F. (2019). Silvopastoral systems in Latin America for biodiversity, environmental, and socioeconomic improvements. In Agroecosystem diversity (pp. 287-297). Elsevier.

Cubbage, F., Balmelli, G., Bussoni, A., Noellemeyer, E., Pachas, A. N., Fassola, H., Colcombet, L., Rossner, B., Frey, G., & Dube, F. (2012). Comparing silvopastoral systems and prospects in eight regions of the world. Agroforestry Systems, 86(3), 303.