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Jim Neel Research Animal Scientist USDA-ARS Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center Beaver, WV. Forage Systems for Grass-finished Livestock Silvopasture. Why Silvopasture?. Bring Wooded Areas Into Forage Production. Increased Biodiversity ?. Aesthetic Value ?.
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Jim NeelResearch Animal ScientistUSDA-ARSAppalachian Farming Systems Research CenterBeaver, WV
Forage Systems for Grass-finished Livestock Silvopasture
Bring Wooded Areas Into Forage Production
Staggered Forage Development ? May 7, 2003
Key Findings • Compared to open pasture, silvopasture will produce about ½ the dry matter per unit area • Productivity fluctuates with weather conditions • Cloudy conditions further reduces energy available to plants • When estimating available dry matter, be sure to account for rock cover and stumps
Key Findings • Silvopasture generally: • Greater nitrogen content (Crude Protein) • Lower nonstructural carbohydrate content (TNC) • Equivalent TDN content (Lower TDN:CP) • May want to think in terms of using it as a supplement to open pasture (High CP)