Silvopastures: Forest Cows for a Greener Future
Growing up in rural Northern Illinois, there were farms everywhere. Dairy farms, beef cattle farms, large and small family farms alike. My fifth grade teacher’s family farm even butted up against our high school. You could watch the cows as you walked to your car. The agricultural industry was a large source of income for our and neighboring counties. Most of the farms I remember seeing were traditional prairie farms, the first image to pop into everyone’s head when you say cattle farm.
Happy cows in a large, lush, green open tract of land, with a pond or creek, and maybe a few lone trees. There would be a milking barn off in the distance, down a gravel lane. Or, perhaps a bright red barn, if the family raised beef cows.
However, with the rise of farm consolidation, mega dairies, and increased worry on how our agricultural practices impact the growing climate crisis, talks turn towards reduced meat consumption or dietary practices like vegetarianism and veganism. If organizations like PETA had their say, the problem would be solved mysteriously overnight. Fortunately, there is a way to mitigate CO2 equivalent emissions and have your hamburger too.
What are Silvopastures?
The answer comes in the practice of silvopastures. Project drawdown describes silvopastures as, “an ancient practice that integrates trees and pasture into a single system for raising livestock.” This is done by either planting trees and various other shrubs/plants in an already existing pasture, or by pruning woodlands and introducing livestock into them.
Benefits for Livestock
As the saying goes, “happy cows make better milk” , and silvopastures deliver on happier cows and livestock in general. Trees provide much needed protection, preventing heat stress in animals and providing shelter during storms. Being able to graze in a diverse ecosystem provides a healthier, more varied diet. Happier and healthier animals provide more milk and meat, reducing antibiotic use.
Benefits for Land
When compared to prairie only farms, silvopastures sequester up to 10x more carbon in soil and biomass. The reintroduction of root systems prevents soil erosion and the diverse foliage keeps the soil in better health. Reducing the need for fertilizers or constant grazing rotations.
Benefits for Farmers
Silvopastures require intense upfront care and planning, but provide so much in return. Besides diversifying the types of livestock they can raise, silvopastures create secondary streams of income. Lumber, fruits, nuts, and wild vegetables like mushrooms can be grown and sold. Well cared for silvopastures can attract wildlife and game. Farmers can then rent out their land to hunters or wildlife photographers. All the while raising more profitable livestock.
Project Drawdown Scenarios
Project Drawdown presents two scenarios, both involve converting already existing pastures, in hopes of increasing total agricultural silvopasture use in the US. Current projections showed that 550 million hectares are already being used as silvopasture, while there are that 823 million hectares of suitable land are available.
Scenario 1
This is Drawdown’s modest option. In Scenario 1, an additional 170.5 million hectares of pasture would be adopted into silvopasture from 2020–2050 accounting for 88% of projected suitable land. This would have a net cost of $206.7 billion, a lifetime cost of $2.3 trillion, and a net savings of $1.7 trillion. Approximately 26.58 gigatons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions would be reduced/sequestered by 2050 and global livestock yields would increase 0.75 million metric tons from 2020–2050.
Scenario 2
This is the aggressive route. In Scenario 2, an additional 222.3 million hectares of land is adopted from 2020–2050, accounting for a total of 94% of suitable land. This would reduce and/or sequester 42.31 gigatons of carbon dioxide-equivalent by 2050. It would have a net cost of $272.9 billion, a lifetime cost of $3.1 trillion, and result in a net savings of $2.3 trillion. Global livestock yields would increase by about 1.2 million metric tons from 2020–2050.
A better way
Project Drawdown makes it clear that, “Silvopasture is the highest ranked of all of Drawdown’s agricultural solutions in terms of mitigation impact, though it has received little attention,”. They don’t provide a reason for why they think this is, but I think it comes down to us. As consumers, we have come accustomed to our agricultural products being so cheep thanks to the mass production from factory farms. While I might be a bit biased because I can’t eat most meats, I don’t think switching to silvopastures is a hard trade-off. Beef prices likely won’t be $3.99 a pound anymore at Woodman’s, but it will help insure there is beef for future generations to enjoy.
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