<p>Over the past several decades, research has documented increased adoption of silvopasture in the United States. However, no national survey has been conducted on silvopasture use, limiting understanding of key information needed to inform technical assistance and research. The National Agroforestry Producer Survey was conducted to address this gap. The survey was completed by 5,682 producers with agroforestry (52% response rate). This study provides results from the 1,747 producers who reported using silvopasture, one of the five agroforestry practices covered in the survey. The average acreage in silvopasture per farm operation was 80.7 acres (32.7 hectares), although acreages varied by region. Conversion of forests to silvopasture was the most common establishment pathway (59%), while 25% of producers planted trees into a field or pasture. Most respondents (74%) grazed cattle in their silvopastures, though many livestock types were reported. Producers cited high-value timber tree species or those providing edible crops as most important for use in their silvopastures. A majority (60%) of silvopastures were established over 15&#xa0;years ago. Key benefits of silvopasture were improved animal welfare and wildlife habitat, while top challenges were added labor and management complexity and expense of maintenance. Roughly 88% of respondents use crops and products from their silvopastures for personal use, while 64% reported selling crops and products. Animal stockyards (59%) were the primary market outlet where producers sold products from their silvopastures. When asked about future intentions, 87% of producers reported maintaining or expanding the acres they have in silvopasture.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Silvopasture in the United States: Results from the National Agroforestry Producer Survey

  • Matthew M. Smith,
  • Kristin Floress,
  • Mark Batcheler,
  • Gary Bentrup,
  • Katherine MacFarland,
  • Todd Kellerman,
  • Lord Ameyaw

摘要

Over the past several decades, research has documented increased adoption of silvopasture in the United States. However, no national survey has been conducted on silvopasture use, limiting understanding of key information needed to inform technical assistance and research. The National Agroforestry Producer Survey was conducted to address this gap. The survey was completed by 5,682 producers with agroforestry (52% response rate). This study provides results from the 1,747 producers who reported using silvopasture, one of the five agroforestry practices covered in the survey. The average acreage in silvopasture per farm operation was 80.7 acres (32.7 hectares), although acreages varied by region. Conversion of forests to silvopasture was the most common establishment pathway (59%), while 25% of producers planted trees into a field or pasture. Most respondents (74%) grazed cattle in their silvopastures, though many livestock types were reported. Producers cited high-value timber tree species or those providing edible crops as most important for use in their silvopastures. A majority (60%) of silvopastures were established over 15 years ago. Key benefits of silvopasture were improved animal welfare and wildlife habitat, while top challenges were added labor and management complexity and expense of maintenance. Roughly 88% of respondents use crops and products from their silvopastures for personal use, while 64% reported selling crops and products. Animal stockyards (59%) were the primary market outlet where producers sold products from their silvopastures. When asked about future intentions, 87% of producers reported maintaining or expanding the acres they have in silvopasture.

Graphical Abstract