Advancing on-farm understanding and application of silvopasture technologies in Pennsylvania

2013 Annual Report for ONE13-189

Project Type: Partnership
Funds awarded in 2013: $14,426.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2016
Region: Northeast
State: Pennsylvania
Project Leader:
Susan Parry
USDA-NRCS

Advancing on-farm understanding and application of silvopasture technologies in Pennsylvania

Summary

This project focuses on one of five categories of agroforestry practices, silvopasture systems. We are developing case studies on two demonstration sites highlighting technical considerations when establishing and implementing silvopasture in both an open pasture situation and a forest ecosystem. Silvopasturing is an opportunity to integrate wooded areas within the overall farm operation, resulting in greater incentive for good stewardship through more deliberate and efficient land use.

Management is the key to the success of silvopastures, but producers currently lack the information and decision support tools needed to implement the practices in the most effective manner possible. Our project addresses knowledge gaps regarding management of forest and grazing lands together to achieve a level of farm diversification, therefore investing in the future of the farm.

We will substantiate past research and deliver practical technical guidance, including lists of suitable tree and forage species as well as materials outlining important considerations during the process of establishing and maintaining silvopasture, ensuring greater success for those undertaking the practice. The project is actively observing, monitoring and recording data for two farms currently establishing silvopasture systems and will ultimately develop guidelines based on their experiences.

 

Objectives/Performance Targets

We have begun to develop the framework for case studies on the two demonstration sites (Wyebrook and Dickinson).  The project teams for each farm (2 ARS staff, 2 NRCS staff, 2 DCNR staff, and 2 farm staff members) met in the spring to establish protocols to be used in observing and monitoring the two farms currently establishing silvopasture systems. Specific progress is listed below.

1. Each of the demostration farms was visited monthly from April – November 2013. Bulk density soil samples were taken at each site per the original worok plan, however, the results were inconclusive for measuring soil compaction. After realizing the limitations of the bulk density measurement for determining compaction in these particular soils (excessively rocky), an alternative method using a soil penetrometer was used. Soil penetrometer readings were taken monthly throughout the grazing season at the Dickinson farm site. The Wyebrook farm remained too wet for the duration of the season to obtain accurate penetrometer readings. We will continue during the 2014 grazing season to take soil penetrometer readings at both sites as conditions allow. Soils samples were taken in spring 2013 and submitted for soil quality analysis. Organic matter of the soil tested over 6% for each site, which is very good, but will not be recorded further during this grazing season as the animals already had access to the area preventing an accurate “baseline” measurement.

2. Ground cover/available forage was also evaluated at each visit.  At the Dickinson farm, grab samples of forage were taken for quality analysis 3 times during the grazing season coinciding with times that the cows had access to the forested area. There was not enough forage present at the Wyebrook site to warrant sampling. At the Wyebrook farm, 28 trees were identified and assessed for diameter, basal area and dieback. The location of each tree was recorded with GPS. The trees will be evaluated at the end of the 2013 grazing season for damage caused by the livestock.

3. Each project team has also discussed any issues/questions the farm operator has had as the project process has moved along.  Forage establishment has been of particular interest to the project teams, so much discussion of methodology and practical application is taking place regarding best practices for next spring to establish quality forage growth.

4. In terms of creating networks and “communities of practice” between practitioners and technical advisors, we have met with and discussed the project several times with Pennsylvania GLCI members and partners, who are willing to assist in producing the technical guidance documents needed to further support conservation field staff and producers in their efforts. ARS staff have begun a literature review and the project team has begun planning for the technical tours and field days set to take place in years two and three.

Accomplishments/Milestones

TIMETABLE

March 15 – May 2013: project partners meet to finalize the study design and begin to collect on-farm data for the project. We will assess the status of each operator’s silvopasture plots, both wooded and open, and supplement/refine their systems with the addition of trees in open pasture and assistance with clearing the wooded lots, where applicable.   *All items completed as outlined.

June – August 2013: Baseline Data collection to continue at each site. Forestry partners (DCNR, private contractor) will record existing tree species in terms of type and physical characteristics. *All items completed as outlined.

September – November 2013: Final establishment of sample areas completed, to include both open pasture and wooded lots. *This item completed as outlined.

Additional timetable notes: in terms of incorporation of grazing animals into established sample areas which was scheduled for March – May 2014. *The farm operators have already incorporated minimum livestock activity within the demonstration areas. We have recorded all information on timing and types of livestock, which will be evaluated along with all monitoring data collected after the 2013 grazing season.

Collaborators:

Jennifer Halpin

halpinj@dickinson.edu
Director
Dickinson College Farm
553 Park Drive
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
Office Phone: 7172451969
Website: http://www.dickinson.edu/about/sustainability/college-farm/
Patrick Fasano

pfasano@aol.com
Owner and Operator
Comprehensive Land Services
1911 Barren Road
Oxford,, PA 19363
Office Phone: 6105645222
Website: http://comprehensivelandservices.com
Melisaa Rubano

melissa.rubano@pa.usda.gov
Support Animal Scientist
USDA-NRCS
3702 Curtin Road
University Par, PA 16802
Office Phone: 8148653158
Duane Hertzler

glcipa@gmail.com
Treasurer
PA Forage and Grazing Lands Conservation Coalition (dba GLCI)
4722 Rock Hollow Rd
Loysville, PA 17047
Office Phone: 7172754375
Website: www.paglci.org
Richard Hartlieb, Jr.

rhartlieb@pa.gov
Service Forester
PA DCNR, Bureau of Forestry
William Penn Forest District
845 Park Rd.
Elverson, PA 19520
Office Phone: 6105829660
Suzette Truax

suzette.truax@pa.usda.gov
Grazing Specialist
USDA-NRCS
185 Franklin Farm Lane
Chambersburg, PA 17202
Office Phone: 7172648074
Tracey Coulter

trcoulter@pa.gov
Agroforestry Coordinator
PA DCNR, Bureau of Forestry
Rachel Carson State Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Office Phone: 7177830381
Website: www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Dan Ludwig

daniel.ludwig@pa.usda.gov
Grazing Specialist
USDA-NRCS
2120 Cornwall Road, Suite 4
Lebanon, PA 17042
Office Phone: 7172742597
Dr. Aimee Hafla

aimee.hafla@pa.usda.gov
Post-Doctoral Research Animal Scientist
USDA-ARS
3702 Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802
Office Phone: 8148653158
Dr. Kathy Soder

kathy.soder@ars.usda.gov
Research Animal Scientist
USDA-ARS
3702 Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802
Office Phone: 8148653158
Dean Carlson

dean@wyebrookfarm.com
Owner/Operator
Wyebrook Farm
150 Wyebrook Rd.
Honey Brook, PA 19344
Office Phone: 6109427481
Website: http://wyebrookfarm.com