9.3 Integration of animals in plant-based systems

Integrating animals into plant-based systems is a game-changer for sustainable agriculture. By combining trees, crops, and livestock, we create mutually beneficial relationships that boost productivity and animal welfare. It's like nature's dream team working together.

From agroforestry to rotational grazing, these methods mimic natural ecosystems. Animals help with pest control and nutrient cycling, while diverse plantings provide food and shelter. It's a win-win that makes farms more resilient and eco-friendly.

Agroforestry Systems

Integrating Trees and Livestock

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Top images from around the web for Integrating Trees and Livestock

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  Silvopasture practices and perspectives in the Northeastern United States | Agroforestry Systems View original

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  Agroforestry for Climate Change Resilient Landscapes | RECOFTC View original

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  Frontiers | Integrating Animal Husbandry With Crops and Trees View original

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  Silvopasture practices and perspectives in the Northeastern United States | Agroforestry Systems View original

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  Agroforestry for Climate Change Resilient Landscapes | RECOFTC View original

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• Silvopasture involves combining trees, forage plants, and livestock in an integrated system
  • Trees provide shade, shelter, and additional feed for livestock (acorns, leaves)
  • Livestock graze on the understory vegetation and help manage the land
  • Mutually beneficial relationship improves animal welfare and land productivity
• Agroforestry systems incorporate trees into agricultural landscapes for multiple purposes
  • Trees can provide timber, fruit, nuts, or other products in addition to benefits for crops or livestock
  • Alley cropping involves planting rows of trees with crops or pasture in between
  • Riparian buffers use trees along waterways to stabilize banks and filter runoff

Fodder and Polyculture Systems

• Fodder systems involve growing specialized crops or trees to provide feed for livestock
  • Fodder crops (grasses, legumes) are grown and harvested to feed animals
  • Fodder trees (mulberry, willow) can be coppiced or pollarded to provide leaves and shoots for feed
  • Reduces reliance on external feed sources and can provide high-quality, nutrient-dense feed
• Polycultures involve growing multiple crops or forage species together in a diverse mixture
  • Increases biodiversity and resilience compared to monocultures
  • Different plants provide complementary nutrients and benefits (nitrogen-fixing legumes, deep-rooted plants)
  • Diverse forage mix improves animal health and productivity

Integrated Livestock Management

Mobile and Rotational Grazing Systems

• Chicken tractors are mobile coops that allow chickens to graze in a controlled area
  • Chickens are moved regularly to fresh pasture, spreading manure and controlling pests
  • Provides chickens access to fresh forage and insects, improving their diet and welfare
  • Chicken manure fertilizes the soil, and their scratching and pecking helps control pests and weeds
• Rotational grazing involves moving livestock through a series of paddocks or pastures
  • Livestock are allowed to intensively graze an area for a short period before being moved
  • Grazed vegetation is given time to recover and regrow before being grazed again
  • Improves forage quality and quantity, reduces overgrazing and soil degradation

Nutrient Cycling and Pest Management

• Livestock play a key role in nutrient cycling in integrated systems
  • Consume plant material and convert it into manure, returning nutrients to the soil
  • Grazing stimulates plant growth, and trampling helps incorporate organic matter into the soil
  • Improves soil health, fertility, and water-holding capacity over time
• Integrated livestock can help with pest control and management
  • Poultry consume insects and small pests, reducing damage to crops
  • Grazing can help control weeds and invasive plants, reducing competition with desired species
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines biological, cultural, and physical controls to manage pests
    • Uses ecological principles to prevent pest outbreaks and minimize chemical interventions
    • Examples include encouraging beneficial insects, using pest-resistant varieties, and disrupting pest life cycles