Silvopasture is a form of agroforestry where trees are deliberately planted to be part of a farms livestock system. Innovative Farmers has now released a series of six films investigating silvopasture designs.
The films feature farmers from the Devon Silvopasture Network who are undertaking a 12 year trial in which six farms and a research farm are being supported to design and implement the integration of trees into their livestock farms.
The trial has a mixture of cluster planting, regular spacing and shelter belts being planted. Little research has focused on the impact of silvopasture in the UK, and farmers are looking for clear evidence of a potential return on investment in order to justify the significant financial commitment to turn pasture over to silvopasture.
The research is being conducted with the help of The Woodland Trust, Organic Research Centre, Rothamsted Research, FWAG SW, Soil Association and Innovative Farmers, and through the films you can hear directly from those involved with the trial.
Read about three tree planting designs are being trialled as part of the field lab