Silvopasture, by definition, is an agricultural system that deliberately integrates trees and livestock within the same landscape. It can be created by planting trees in grazing areas or introducing animals into managed wooded areas, including orchards and tree plantations.
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This distinct approach to raising livestock and cultivating trees offers numerous benefits for both farmers and the environment. For example, research has shown that silvopasture livestock produce more meat and milk, while silvopasture trees can create a more stable feed supply.
How Silvopasture Systems are Developed
Silvopasture agroforestry systems are distinguished by thoughtful design and active management.1 It is not simply a matter of leading animals into the woods or planting a few scattered trees in a grazing pasture. In a well-managed system, the trees, animals, and the surrounding ecosystem should be considered.
The types of livestock, vegetation, and trees in a silvopasture system are critical to producing optimal outcomes.2 A large cattle herd can compact the soil, making it difficult for young trees to access nutrients. Goat herds can strip the bark from trees if forage is limited. Poultry can disturb soil and expose the roots of vegetation, particularly when flocks are heavily concentrated.
Breed selection is also critical to success. Some breeds are willing to graze on a wide range of forage, while others are more selective. Sometimes, farmers can train animals to expand their palates, but this is not always an option.
How Should Silvopasture Trees Be Selected?
Silvopasture trees should be selected based on desired outcomes. For example:
- Some farmers may plant low-maintenance trees to simply provide shade for livestock.
- Some farmers may use trees that offer additional yields, such as fruit, nuts, or timber.
Certain types of trees are particularly well-suited to silvopasture. Black locust trees are hardy and grow high-protein leaves that are as nutritious as alfalfa. Mulberry grows quickly and produces fruit palatable to a wide range of livestock. The high concentrations of tannins in willow trees have also been shown to reduce parasites in sheep.
Rotational Grazing in Silvopasture Farming
Rotational grazing involves moving animals regularly to allow vegetation to regrow and prevent damage to trees.
Pasture grasses and nitrogen-fixing legumes can supplement silvopasture trees to support healthy forage for livestock.
What are the Benefits of Silvopasture Farms?
Heat reduction
One of the most recognized advantages of silvopasture farms is the reduction of heat stress for animals.3 Shade improves comfort, especially during summer months, which can lead to better livestock performance and overall health.
Soil and water system benefits
Silvopasture trees can also improve soil and water systems. Trees trap nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, preventing them from washing into streams and rivers. Their roots break up compacted soil layers and increase organic matter, allowing water to filter more deeply into the ground. This can help reduce flooding and erosion, while enhancing the soil’s ability to retain moisture during dry periods.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, an entire farm does not need to follow the strict definition of silvopasture to experience benefits. Even a few well-designed areas can improve animal welfare and landscape resilience.
Cows in the Woods: What it Takes to Create a Silvopasture
Video Credit: Clean Wisconsin/YouTube.com
What are the Challenges of Silvopasture?
There are many broad challenges to the expanded uptake of silvopasture. However, there are also some location-specific challenges.
Rented land issues
On rented land, conflicts may arise between tenants who want to plant trees and landlords who are hesitant to approve long-term changes to their property. One potential solution involves allowing tenants to sublet rows of land for tree crops or share the revenue generated from mature trees.
Selling hardwood
Silvopasture practitioners looking to sell hardwood from their trees may find it difficult in some regions. For example, in much of the UK, the timber industry is geared toward large forestry operations, making it difficult for small-scale producers to find buyers.
Costs
Cost and financial uncertainty also play a role. Farmers are often unsure whether to invest now or wait for future environmental funding or grant support.
Skills gap
There is also a skills gap: many livestock farmers have limited experience with tree management, while many foresters have little knowledge of managing grazing animals. This gap, however, presents opportunities for new entrants who can provide specialized tree-crop knowledge to complement livestock operations.
Does Silvopasture Help Mitigate Climate Change?
While silvopasture is not considered a direct solution to climate change, recent research suggests that it may help reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to open pastures.
A study conducted at the University of New Hampshire compared emissions among forest, open pasture, and silvopasture plots.4 The open pastures showed the highest soil carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions, while silvopastures produced intermediate levels closer to those seen in natural forests. The study team stated that trees appeared to moderate soil temperature and moisture, conditions that can influence the release of greenhouse gases, something which is particularly important in cattle farming.
The study also found that trees grown in silvopasture systems tend to grow faster and exhibit greater resilience during droughts. Lower tree density reduces competition, allowing trees to access more water and light.
Other research has shown that trees in grazing landscapes can reduce soil carbon dioxide emissions and increase carbon storage, further supporting the potential role silvopasture can play in climate mitigation.5
What Does the Future Hold for Silvopasture in Farming?
Silvopasture is gaining attention as policymakers seek land management practices that improve resilience in the face of climate change. For example, Project Drawdown, a major global climate mitigation research initiative, lists silvopasture among the top 10 most impactful agricultural strategies for reducing carbon emissions.6
As awareness, education, and financial models around silvopasture develop, the practice could see wider adoption. For now, it represents a limited yet promising approach that blends productive farming with long-term ecological benefit.
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References and Further Reading
- National Agroforestry Center. (2014 August). Forest Grazing, Silvopasture, and Turning Livestock into the Woods. US Department of Agriculture. www.fs.usda.gov/nac/assets/documents/agroforestrynotes/an46si09.pdf
- Gabriel, S. (2018 June 28). Six Key Principles for a Successful Silvopasture. Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2018/06/six-key-principles-for-a-successful-silvopasture/
- National Agroforestry Center (2013 May). Mitigating Heat Stress in Cattle. US Department of Agriculture. https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/assets/documents/workingtrees/infosheets/HeatStressCattleInfoSheetMay2013.pdf
- Asbjornsen, H. (2023). Silvopasture: A climate-friendly alternative to conventional open pasture practices. University of New Hampshire. https://colsa.unh.edu/resource/silvopasture-climate-friendly-alternative-conventional-open-pasture-practices
- Morales-Ruiz, D. et al. (2025 November 1). Silvopastoral systems reduce soil CO2 emissions, enhance carbon stocks, and regulate the micro-environment in tropical grazing lands. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, Vol. 393: 109844 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167880925003767
- Project Drawdown. (2025 September 17). Deploy Silvopasture. https://drawdown.org/explorer/deploy-silvopasture
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