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

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

Summary

The goal of this project is to develop case studies on two Pennsylvania farm demonstration sites, then create various products that educate and highlight technical considerations for practitioners establishing and implementing silvopasture in both an open pasture and a wood lot management situation. In 2015, we completed several technical tours and field days to review project progress reaching at least 75 practitioners and conservation field staff; produced a video introducing the project concept; published an article in Agroforestry; and published/posted a project fact sheet as an outreach tool. We have also begun developing the final phase of the project, which includes a case study report and a practitioner’s guide, including lists of suitable tree and forage species as well as educational materials for farmers. The project team is actively observing, monitoring and adapting management based on present findings for the two demonstration farms as well.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. The individual project teams conducted at least one technical tour to each of the demonstration farms in 2015. Ground cover/available forage, tree condition and animal impact was evaluated at each visit. At the DCF, grab samples of forage were taken for quality analysis 2 more times during the grazing season coinciding with times that the cows had access to the forested area. At the Wyebrook farm, after the plant inventory was conducted due to the discovery of plant indicator species in saturated areas within the silvopasture plot, a design for additional fencing to eliminate access to the wet areas was presented to the farmer.
2. 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. At DCF, a pasture shade seed mix was broadcast into the wood lot area in fall 2014 so additional observations were documented regarding forage establishment. Also at DCF, tree establishment in the pasture area had become an issue (2 planted trees were impacted/lost due to animal impact), so additional investments were made in replacing and ensuring tree protection. 
3. In terms of creating networks and “communities of practice” between practitioners and technical advisors, we have met with and discussed the project several times among Pennsylvania Grazing Coalition members and partners, the initial project video was posted on You Tube, a project journal article and fact sheet were produced, and a successful regional field day was held. We have also begun producing the technical guidance documents needed to further support conservation field staff and producers in their efforts.

Accomplishments/Milestones

March – May 2015: Sampling and observation activities continue; second technical tour took place on both farms. Video and project fact sheet promoted and posted on www.paglc.org website.

June – August 2015: Sampling and observation activities continue; project team met to organize information, began product development and review project status.

September – November 2015: Regional workshop conducted at DCF with 35 attendees; began summarization of data and observations collected to finalize case study reports and technical guidance materials.

• Silvopasture Fact Sheet_final
• DCF Field Day Flyer

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

As with many on-farm projects, practical application of technologies has required continued discussion and adaptive management on both demonstration farm sites. Based on observations made by the project team, adjustments were requested to be made in the management in regard to tree cages/protection at DCF and protecting sensitive areas at Wyebrook Farms.

The project has financially supported the farms, with DCF being willing to make adaptations to replace and protect the trees in open pasture as well as limit access in the wooded area. For Wyebrook Farms, the landowner has been less willing to make recommended changes to the woodlot area, so we have not been able to document tree/plant degradation, if any, or understory forage growth in the past several months.

This will be more evidenced and documented during the development of case studies. We will also discuss these existing challenges through the second video in the project series to inform viewers of the results/outcomes.

Collaborators: