Evaluating the Efficacy of Contour-Based Silvopasture Plantings with Grassed Terraces for Water Retention

Silvopasture addresses critical global challenges such as environmental degradation by conventional farming and the struggle for farmer profitability. This practice, integrating trees into pasture landscapes, offers multiple benefits: increased farm productivity through diverse production, reduced animal feed costs, improved animal performance, and tree crop yields. Ecologically, silvopasture contributes to soil stabilization, carbon sequestration, and water retention, among other benefits.

However, establishing silvopastures represents a substantial challenge for farmers. Without careful establishment procedures, tree mortality of trees planted into active pastures is very high. While there is work being done to address how to improve mortality rates in silvopasture plantings, most of that work is focused on tree protection from grazing animals and wildlife. Based on my personal experience and experience working with farmers who have tried establishing trees, the problem of insufficient water is one that also needs addressed. In a year with low or sporadic rainfall like 2023 in western PA, high tree mortality has been observed.

Current best practices for water retention is to mulch all trees that you plant when establishing them. While this helps, it is insufficient during extended periods of low/no rainfall. To maintain trees during these periods, more needs to be done to maintain tree health. For many farmers, this currently means hauling water to their trees if conditions demand or else face the prospect of high mortality or stunted growth.

Our proposed solution is a comparative study of two planting techniques: traditional straight-line planting and innovative contour-based planting with grassed water terraces designed to catch runoff during a rain, then allow the water to slowly infiltrate to the trees roots over time. We have trialed this technique on a limited scale with good results. Our desire is to create test plots and compare the performance of these silvopasture contour strips to silvopasture plantings without a corresponding water cachement system built into the design (beyond mulching).

This research is vital as it aims to establish more effective silvopasture designs that are adaptable to local environmental conditions, specifically addressing water scarcity challenges. By optimizing tree planting methods, the project contributes to the conservation of soil and improvement of water quality, vital aspects of sustainable agriculture. Additionally, it aims to enhance farm productivity and reduce costs associated with establishing silvopasture systems.

The expected impact of this project aligns with the core aspects of sustainable agriculture: it reduces environmental risks by promoting biodiversity and soil conservation, potentially improves farm income by optimizing land use, and enhances the quality of life for farmers by providing practical, scalable solutions for silvopasture implementation. Our approach directly responds to the needs and interests expressed by farmers in our community and beyond, who are keen on adopting silvopasture practices but lack detailed guidance on effective implementation strategies.

In conclusion, this project not only addresses a crucial gap in silvopasture research but also provides a practical solution with the potential for widespread adoption, leading to significant improvements in sustainable farming practices in the Northeast United States.