C onventional wisdomin the past has been

that livestock and trees can’tco-exist. Yet modernagricultural practice isshowing that livestock andtrees not only can co-exist,but, if properly managed,can provide additionalincome from land formerlyused for a single crop.

orking Trees for LivestockW

Agroforestry

Trees can provide livestockwith protection from coldwind and blowing snow inwinter, as well as from thehot sun and drying winds ofsummer. And, ifcommercially desirabletimber or nut trees areplanted, landowners canenjoy significant additional

income from this diverse useof their land.

This publication willacquaint you with some ofthe specific ways you andyour land can benefit byputting trees to work foryour livestock.

Working Trees protect livestock

from the stressfuleffects of winter and

offer relief in thesummer. They can

also create diversifiedincome opportunities.

U tilizing the same acreage for both forage andtrees can produce many benefits. By planting

the right kinds of crop trees, the air space over existingforage lands can provide income beyond that producedby livestock alone. With proper management to insureadequate sunlight for forage, a pasture with trees canproduce substantial beef gains and tree crop returns.

Diversify with tree/forage systems

On pastures or grasslands without existing trees, plant rows ofpines or nut-producing trees, spaced to allow adequate sunlightpenetration for forage growth. If needed, spaces between rows canbe planted in shade-tolerant grasses suitable for your area andclimate. When livestock are used to graze the forage, a plannedgrazing system will be needed to assure proper management of theforage, trees, and wildlife habitat.

Benefits from adding trees

Many coniferous woodlands and a few select hardwood plantationscan be transformed into tree/forage systems. By selectively removing/harvesting the correct number of trees, enough light will reach thesoil to allow growth of forage under the tree canopy. Remainingtrees should grow faster and have increased value. Proper livestockgrazing or haying of the forages provide annual returns. Desirablewildlife are often attracted to the extra food and cover.

Benefits from adding forage

Wood productsTimber harvesting for lumber,furniture, or pulpwood can be anongoing source of income as treesare thinned, selectively cut, orharvested at maturity.

Nuts & fruitNuts in commercial demandinclude walnuts, almonds, pecans,and hazelnuts. A wide variety oforchard fruits and berries may alsobe produced.

WildlifeMany songbirds, game birds, andanimal species are attracted by thefood, nesting sites, and protectionprovided by trees that are added toexisting forage land.

HayForage not utilized for your owncattle can be mowed, baled, and soldas a source of supplemental income.Or, a pasture may be rented toothers for grazing.

LivestockThe shaded and sheltered forestpasture environment providesprotected grazing where livestockcan grow faster with lessenvironmental stress.

WildlifeA forested area that also includesforage is often a more attractivehabitat for wildlife than an areawith trees alone.

Farm 3-dimensionally – increase your usable acreage

Trees

Livestock & forage

Putting trees to work for livestock producesthe following benefits for:

Wildlife – Tree/forage systems andwindbreaks provide diversity of habitat andcover for many species of terrestrial wildlife.Fish and other aquatic animals are benefitedby the role of trees in reducing erosion andfiltering pollutants and agricultural runoff.

Benefits for all Water – Trees break the fall of heavy rain,allowing water to percolate into the ground.Tree roots help filter pollutants from runoffand groundwater.

Air – Trees help reduce offensive odors andreduce airborne dust from concentratedlivestock areas.

Soil – Tree foliage breaks the fall of heavyrain, helping to prevent erosion and allowing

water to infiltrate into the ground. Tree rootshold soil in place.

Plants – Trees in an agricultural settingprovide greater plant diversity, making for ahealthier ecosystem.

Humans – Trees create a more aestheticallypleasing landscape, provide a source of incomeand economic activity, and create settingsfor active and passive outdoor recreation.

Pasture windbreaksA windbreak at the edge of a pasture provides herds withprotection from wind and blowing snow.

Protect your livestock with trees

Hog & poultry facilitiesSwine and poultry benefit from protective windbreaks andshade-providing trees.

Living barnsThe encircling trees of a living barn can be the differencein herd survival in open pastures or range in the winter.

Dairy herd protectionBarns, pens, and milking parlors that are protected by treescan increase milk yields from dairy herds.

Feedlot windbreaksA feedlot windbreak like this one can reduce wind velocityas much as 70 percent, reducing animal stress.

Shade treesShade trees in a pasture provide welcome places wherelivestock can find relief on hot summer days.

The planting of income-producing treesor shrubs interspersed with forage speciescan provide landowners with additionalcrop income from the same acreage. Inaddition to extra income from timber,nuts, or fruit, trees provide habitat forwildlife and lend natural beauty to therural landscape.

With modern agroforestry methods, it ispossible to balance tree density withsufficient sunlight penetration to insurehealthy forage growth.

Putting trees to work…

Windbreaks or living barns cansignificantly lower stress on animalsand, consequently, reduce feed energyrequirements. The benefits to farmersand ranchers include better animalhealth, lower feed costs, and greaterfinancial gain.

During the summer months, trees canreduce livestock stress by providingcooling shade and protection from hotwinds.

…to protect yourlivestock

…to diversifyyour farm

Local assistance

There are technical specialists in your areawho can assist you with the planning,design, application, and maintenance ofyour Working Trees for Livestock practice.Contact your nearest State Forestry agency,USDA Natural Resources ConservationService, County Extension Office, or Soiland Water Conservation District.

Some working tree practices can besupported by cost share incentivesprovided by the Federal, State, or Localgovernment. Contact your localconservation agencies for informationabout the various incentives available.

Contact the USDA National AgroforestryCenter, 1945 N. 38th St., Lincoln, NE68583–0822. Phone: 402–437–5178; Fax:402–437–5712

For free copies of this brochure, visit:www.unl.edu/nac/order.htm

Want more information?

Contact: USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC), 1945 N. 38th St., Lincoln, NE 68583–0822. Phone: 402–437–5178; Fax: 402–437–5712; Website: www.unl.edu/nac.

The USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC) is a partnership of the Forest Service (Research & Development and State & Private Forestry) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. It isadministered by the Forest Service, Southern Research Station; its program manager and headquarters are located in Huntsville, AL, on the campus of Alabama A&M University, while its research,clearinghouse, and technology transfer staff are concentrated in Lincoln, NE, at the University of Nebraska. NAC’s purpose is to accelerate the development and application of agroforestrytechnologies to attain more economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable land use systems. To accomplish its mission, NAC interacts with a national network of partners and cooperators toconduct research, develop technologies and tools, establish demonstrations, and provide useful information to natural resource professionals.

USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not allprohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact theUSDA’s TARGET Center at 202–720–2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call 202–720–5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

First Edition 1998, Second Printing 1999; Second Edition 2001; Third Edition 2008

A partnership of

National assistance