Investigating the Impact of Biochar Application Rates in Southeastern Forests on Herbaceous Forage Quality and Silvopasture Habitat at Frolona Farm

Commodities

Practices

At Frolona Farm we are converting pasture and formerly logged areas to silvopasture, with the aim to increase forage availability while improving wildlife habitat. We intend to utilize biochar produced as a byproduct of the Conservation practice, Crop Tree Release for Mast Management, a process where selected trees are culled, and the tops left in the forest. The “Ring of Fire” kilns will then be transported to these forest sites, where the felled tree tops will be converted into biochar. This biochar will be applied to plots at varying depths (1 inch and 2 inches) to examine its impact on soil quality, forage production, and herbaceous plant growth in silvopasture systems.

Our farm is among the first in the Southeast to implement CSP biochar practice 384 and we are working closely with the NRCS to develop technical guidance for the practice. With consultation from biochar expert Kelpie Wilson, who designed the Ring of Fire kiln and contributed to the development of biochar-related CSP practices, we will study biochar’s effect on forage quality and herbaceous plant diversity. This research will not only inform CSP 384 practice but will also offer Southeastern farmers data-driven insights to improve soil health and forage sustainability in silvopasture.

Crop tree management for mast production - Documentation Report

E384A July 2019

1. Biochar Production:
   • Select culled trees harvested to remove competition from native mast species in the implementation of the Crop Tree Release for Mast Management practice and use the tree tops left in the forest for biochar production.
   • Utilize Ring of Fire biochar kilns on-site to convert tree tops into biochar, ensuring that the biochar production aligns with CSP guidelines and contributes to soil carbon sequestration.
2. Experimental Design:
   • Establish 10 research plots based on the Carolina Vegetative Survey design, with each plot comprising three contiguous 10 square meter subplots to receive varying treatments:
     • Control plot with no biochar
     • 1-inch biochar application plot
     • 2-inch biochar application plot
3. Data Collection and Analysis:
   • Conduct bi-annual vegetation surveys to assess plant species composition, growth, and forage quality in each plot, focusing on biochar’s role in promoting herbaceous plants.
   • Collect soil samples from each plot bi-annually for total elemental analysis and pH testing, analyzing biochar’s influence on soil fertility, organic matter, and nutrient availability.
   • Collaborate with Kelpie Wilson to interpret data and refine application rates, integrating findings with CSP 384 standards to support best practices in silvopasture biochar use.