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Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

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Silvopasture And Eastern Wild Turkey, Jim Robinson Feb 2005

Silvopasture And Eastern Wild Turkey, Jim Robinson

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Trees and livestock account for much of the income production on lands throughout the southern United States. Today many landowners are combining these two operations into one system called silvopasture, where both timber and livestock are produced on the same field.

While economic gain is most often the primary goal of a silvopasture system, wildlife habitat enhancement is commonly seen as an added benefit. This Agroforestry Note discusses the habitat requirements of Eastern wild turkey with respect to management considerations for the production of timber and livestock forage within silvopasture systems.

Silvopasture systems typically are laid out by either planting …


Silvopasture Water And Fencing Systems For Cattle, Sid Brantly Feb 2005

Silvopasture Water And Fencing Systems For Cattle, Sid Brantly

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Silvopasture is an agroforestry system that combines grazing livestock with growing trees for a timber product. Creating small, fenced paddocks and rotating cattle builds in "recovery periods" for the forage and protects the soil and trees. In a silvopastoral system, grazing recovery periods can only be achieved when well-designed livestock water supplies and cross fences are used. Fortunately, technological advances in livestock water system design and fence materials have helped to create a feasible working environment where rotating livestock from one silvopasture paddock to another can be both convenient and affordable. However, some special considerations must be given to water …


Converting A Pasture To A Silvopasture In The Pacific Northwest, Steven H. Sharrow, Rick Fletcher Sep 2003

Converting A Pasture To A Silvopasture In The Pacific Northwest, Steven H. Sharrow, Rick Fletcher

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Forestry and livestock production are mainstays of the natural resource-based economies of many rural communities in the western United States and Canada. Regenerating mixed conifer forests may produce considerable amounts of ground vegetation that is suitable as livestock feed, while open-canopied pine forests in more arid conditions produce forage throughout their lives. Not surprisingly, there is a strong tradition of livestock grazing within western forests. Silvopasture, the combination of forest management and improved forage species, is a more intensive, controlled application of this traditional use. It is most often implemented to increase profitability, reduce risk, and augment environmental benefits from …


Biotechnical Streambank Protection: The Use Of Plants To Stabilize Streambanks, Gary W. Wells Mar 2002

Biotechnical Streambank Protection: The Use Of Plants To Stabilize Streambanks, Gary W. Wells

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Biotechnical streambank protection utilizes living plant materials to reinforce soil and stabilize slopes. Plants can be used as the primary structural component or in combination with inert materials like rock, concrete, and steel to help stabilize streambanks. Many terms have been used to describe the engineering use of plant materials for slope stabilization (Figure 1). The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) uses the term Soil Bioengineering to describe the use of living plant material for soil reinforcement, hydraulic drains, barriers to earth movement, and hydraulic pumps or wicks. The underlying concept for all terms is the use of plants to …


Planning Biotechnical Streambank Protection, Gary W. Wells Mar 2002

Planning Biotechnical Streambank Protection, Gary W. Wells

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

This note is designed to help planners determine the appropriateness of biotechnical alternatives for streambank stabilization. Biotechnical approaches utilize plants as the primary structural components to provide an alternative or complement to concrete, rock and other materials. Even though various biotechnical techniques have been developed to utilize the ability of plants to stabilize slopes, there are situations where these techniques are not an appropriate choice.


Windbreaks: An Agroforestry Practice, Bruce Wright, Kimberly Stuhr Mar 2002

Windbreaks: An Agroforestry Practice, Bruce Wright, Kimberly Stuhr

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Purpose of Note:

• Introduce the concept of windbreaks and their benefits

• Describe different applications of windbreaks

• Discuss basic design and planning considerations


Planning And Design Considerations For Hybrid Poplar Timberbelts, Scott J. Josiah, Gary Kuhn Dec 2000

Planning And Design Considerations For Hybrid Poplar Timberbelts, Scott J. Josiah, Gary Kuhn

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

The demand for wood products and wood fiber has led to the development of a production system based on fast growing trees known as Short Rotation Woody Crops (SRWCs). Traditionally, SRWCs are grown in large, intensively managed blocks, but the technology may also be used on agricultural lands in integrated applications such as timberbelts. Timberbelts are multiple row windbreaks that are planted with commercially valuable trees to produce wood products. Trees such as hybrid poplar (typically cottonwood and to a lesser extent aspen), hybrid willow, hybrid pine, paulownia, etc., are particularly suited for use in timberbelts because of their rapid …


From A Pasture To A Silvopasture System, James L. Robinson, Terry Clason Dec 2000

From A Pasture To A Silvopasture System, James L. Robinson, Terry Clason

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

There is potential to diversify a grazing operation and improve economic or environmental benefits on many acres through conversion of pasture to silvopasture. Silvopasture is the integration of trees with livestock grazing and forage operations. Research has demonstrated that, if managed properly, forage production can be maintained while producing high value timber.


De Sistemas Pastoriles A Silvopastoriles, James L. Robinson, Terry Clason Dec 2000

De Sistemas Pastoriles A Silvopastoriles, James L. Robinson, Terry Clason

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Existe el potencial para diversificar la operación pastoril y mejorar los beneficios económicos y ambientales en muchas áreas a través de la conversión de pastoreo a silvopastoreo. Silvopastoreo es la integración de árboles y ganado junto con forraje. Estudios han demostrado que bajo una buena administración es posible la producción de pastos y de madera de alta calidad.


Waterbreaks: Managed Trees For The Floodplain, Douglas C. Wallace, Wayne A. Geyer, John P. Dwyer Apr 2000

Waterbreaks: Managed Trees For The Floodplain, Douglas C. Wallace, Wayne A. Geyer, John P. Dwyer

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Historically, many of the natural woody ecosystems that were once present in floodplains across the country have been highly altered or removed. Land clearing has resulted in the loss of woody vegetation, even in areas adjacent to streams and rivers. With these alterations, came extensive flood management commitments to compensate for the loss of naturally functioning floodplains and for the protection of towns, roads, and agricultural fields. However, even with the best available flood management techniques, when rivers decide to flood - they will, often with devastating consequences. Strictly from a social and an economic standpoint, allowing the floodplain to …


From Pine Forest To A Silvopasture System, Terry Clason, James L. Robinson Apr 2000

From Pine Forest To A Silvopasture System, Terry Clason, James L. Robinson

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Agroforestry systems hold the potential for land users to realize diverse income-generating possibilities from the same acreage, as well as meet environmental goals. Silvopasture systems are agroforestry systems that incorporate the production of forage and/or livestock with the growing of trees for a timber product. The silvopasture system can be developed from a pasture system with the trees incorporated into the open fields or it can be developed from a forest plantation with the forage incorporated into the plantation following a thinning to reduce tree canopy.


Wastewater Management Using Hybrid Poplar, Gary A. Kuhn Apr 2000

Wastewater Management Using Hybrid Poplar, Gary A. Kuhn

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Hybrid poplars are rapidly growing trees that are well suited to use agricultural, industrial, and community wastewater. They are being used as an alternative to expensive wastewater treatment systems, and methods which apply wastewater to annual crops or pasture. The trees serve a dual purpose as a nutrient sink for wastewater use and as a means to produce a short-rotation harvested wood product which helps offset the cost of installation and maintenance.

Planning tree wastewater use systems requires both agroforestry and engineering expertise. Omission of either in the planning process can lead to disappointing results and reduced benefits. This Agroforestry …


De Un Bosque De Pino Hacia Un Sistema Silvopastoril, Terry Clason, James L. Robinson Apr 2000

De Un Bosque De Pino Hacia Un Sistema Silvopastoril, Terry Clason, James L. Robinson

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Los sistemas agroforestales ofrecen el potencial a los usuarios de tierras de analizar las posibilidades de generar ingresos por venta de diferentes bienes o artículos, producidos en un mismo predio de terreno, a la misma vez que se obtienen beneficios ambientales. Los sistemas silvopastoriles, son sistemas agroforestales. Éstos sitemas se componen de árboles, forrajes y ganado. Un sistema silvopastoril puede desarrollarse a partir de un predio en pastos o de un bosque al que se le incorporan forrajes. El bosque deberá ser manejado de manera que permita la entrada de luz solar para el crecimiento del forraje.


Economics And Marketing Of Ginseng, Robert L. Beyfuss Jul 1999

Economics And Marketing Of Ginseng, Robert L. Beyfuss

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

It is extremely important to learn about the economic potential of the various types of ginseng and how to market the product prior to growing it. Raising ginseng is something that a patient person who enjoys growing things can find interesting and potentially profitable but, it requires hard work, at least a small capital investment, and it certainly is not a sure thing. This Agroforestry Note will familiarize readers with some economic considerations and marketing tips. For specific information about growing ginseng refer to AF Note Forest Farming -3, American Ginseng Production in Woodlots.


Forest Production Of Goldenseal, Jeanine M. Davis Jul 1999

Forest Production Of Goldenseal, Jeanine M. Davis

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) is a valued medicinal herb which has been collected from hardwood forests in eastern North America for hundreds of years. The historical range for goldenseal is north into Canada, south to Alabama, and west to Kansas. Overharvesting of goldenseal has caused serious reductions in populations reported in Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and eastern Kentucky. In 1997, goldenseal was listed on Appendix II of the Convention for International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES), an international treaty monitoring trade in threatened and endangered species. Designed to protect the species, this listing imposed controls on goldenseal trade. This …


Farming Exotic Mushrooms In The Forest, Deborah B. Hill Jul 1999

Farming Exotic Mushrooms In The Forest, Deborah B. Hill

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

One income opportunity derived from forest farming is the production of exotic mushrooms. Many of these edible mushrooms, such as shiitake (Lentinula edodes), maitake (Grifola frondosa), lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus, and oyster (Pleurotus spp. feed on the cellulose and lignin in wood. Although a significant volume of these mushrooms is produced under artificial conditions on a substance of sawdust, grains and other supplements, production on logs results in firmer texture and more flavor.

Production of high-value mushrooms on small diameter logs of almost any hardwood species enables a private forest landowner to utilize …


Alley Cropping: An Agroforestry Practice, Sandra Hodge, H. E. Garrett, Jerry Bratton Jan 1999

Alley Cropping: An Agroforestry Practice, Sandra Hodge, H. E. Garrett, Jerry Bratton

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Alley cropping is an agroforestry practice intended to place trees within agricultural cropland systems. The purpose is to enhance or add income diversity (both long and short range), reduce wind and water erosion, improve crop production, improve utilization of nutrients, improve wildlife habitat or aesthetics, and/or convert cropland to forest. The practice is especially attractive to landowners wishing to add economic stability to their farming system while protecting soil from erosion, water from contamination, and improving wildlife habitat.


Opportunities For Growing Short-Rotation Woody Crops In Agroforestry Practices, Gary A. Kuhn, W. J. Rietveld May 1998

Opportunities For Growing Short-Rotation Woody Crops In Agroforestry Practices, Gary A. Kuhn, W. J. Rietveld

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Technologies are readily available for growing hybrid poplars and willows in block plantings as short-rotation woody crops (SRWC) for fuel and fiber. SRWC species and technologies can also be incorporated into agricultural systems as agroforestry practices. Examples are windbreaks, living snowfences, “timberbelts”, riparian buffer strips, and wastewater treatment plantings. Fast growth, convenient propagation (see AF Note - 11), and compatibility with conventional farming methods make SRWC suitable for use in agroforestry practices to provide multiple benefits such as solid wood and wood fiber products, water quality improvement, crop and soil protection, wildlife habitat, and buffers for agricultural/community interfaces.


Establishment And Cultural Guidelines For Using Hybrid Tree Species In Agroforestry Plantings, Gary A. Kuhn, W. J. Rietveld, Don E. Riemenschneider May 1998

Establishment And Cultural Guidelines For Using Hybrid Tree Species In Agroforestry Plantings, Gary A. Kuhn, W. J. Rietveld, Don E. Riemenschneider

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Hybrid poplars (and willows) are well-suited for agroforestry applications in many parts of the United States (See AFN-10). Their convenient propagation and fast growth allow them to establish and provide conservation benefits more quickly. This note provides general establishment and cultural guidelines to consider when using hybrid poplar cuttings for agroforestry plantings.


Forest Farming: An Agroforestry Practice, Mary Ellen Dix, Deborah B. Hill, Louise E. Buck, W. J. Rietveld Nov 1997

Forest Farming: An Agroforestry Practice, Mary Ellen Dix, Deborah B. Hill, Louise E. Buck, W. J. Rietveld

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Most public and private forest lands of North America have been modified to varying degrees from years of human activity. Certain high-value ‘non-timber forest products’ have been over-exploited and are difficult to find. Forest farming practices can be used by private enterprise to grow desirable non-timber forest products on private lands, to supplement family income, and to allow biodiversity to reestablish within forests.


The Biology Of Silvopastoralism, Steven H. Sharrow Nov 1997

The Biology Of Silvopastoralism, Steven H. Sharrow

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Forestry and livestock grazing are common competing uses for non-irrigated lands around the world. Forest grazing is a traditional practice in most of North America. Approximately 25 percent of all US forest land is grazed by livestock. Young forests and mature open-canopied forests can provide considerable amounts of forage for livestock. Prescription grazing makes beneficial use of ground vegetation that would otherwise compete with trees for soil moisture and nutrients, harbor gnawing rodents, and pose a fire hazard. Pasture grasses and legumes are sometimes seeded into newly harvested forest areas to reduce erosion, to provide high-quality food for deer and …


Biología Silvopastoril, Steven H. Sharrow Nov 1997

Biología Silvopastoril, Steven H. Sharrow

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

La producción forestal y la ganadería son dos usos de tierras comunes en muchos lugares del mundo que no tienen riego. El pastoreo forestal es una práctica tradicional en la mayor parte de América del Norte. Aproximadamente 25% del total de las tierras de los EE. UU., son pastoreadas. Los bosques jovenes y los bosques maduros con una copa o dosel poco denso, pueden proveer una cantidad considerable de forraje al ganado. Un itinerario de pastoreo hará más beneficioso el uso de la vegetación que crece bajo la copa de los árboles. De no ser así la vegetación competirá con …


Silvopasture: An Agroforestry Practice, Ned B. Klopfenstein, W. J. Rietveld, Richard C. Carman, Terry R. Clason, Steven H. Sharrow, Gene Garrett, Bruce Anderson Nov 1997

Silvopasture: An Agroforestry Practice, Ned B. Klopfenstein, W. J. Rietveld, Richard C. Carman, Terry R. Clason, Steven H. Sharrow, Gene Garrett, Bruce Anderson

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Although some form of silvopasture management has been practiced for centuries, silvopasture as an agroforestry practice is specifically designed and managed for the production of trees, tree products, forage, and livestock. Silvopasture results when forage crops are deliberately introduced or enhanced in a timber production system, or timber crops are deliberately introduced or enhanced in a forage production system. As a silvopasture, timber and pasture are managed as a single integrated system.

Silvopastoral systems are designed to produce a high-value timber component, while providing short-term cash flow from the livestock component. The interactions among timber, forage, and livestock are managed …


Riparian Buffers For Agricultural Land, Michael Dosskey, Richard C. Schultz, Thomas M. Isenhart Jan 1997

Riparian Buffers For Agricultural Land, Michael Dosskey, Richard C. Schultz, Thomas M. Isenhart

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Purpose:

• Define what a riparian buffer is

• Describe what benefits a riparian buffer can provide in an agricultural landscape

• Identify situations where installing a riparian buffer should be considered


A Riparian Buffer Design For Cropland, Michael Dosskey, Dick Schultz, Tom Isenhart Jan 1997

A Riparian Buffer Design For Cropland, Michael Dosskey, Dick Schultz, Tom Isenhart

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Purpose:

• Present a general, multi-purpose, riparian buffer design suitable for most cropland situations

• Provide some guidelines for adjusting this general design to better fit site-specific conditions or landowner needs


How To Design A Riparian Buffer For Agricultural Land, Michael Dosskey, Dick Schultz, Tom Isenhart Jan 1997

How To Design A Riparian Buffer For Agricultural Land, Michael Dosskey, Dick Schultz, Tom Isenhart

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

Purpose: Identify four basic steps to follow when designing a riparian buffer.


Outdoor Living Barn: A Specialized Windbreak, Kris Irwin, Jerry Bratton Aug 1996

Outdoor Living Barn: A Specialized Windbreak, Kris Irwin, Jerry Bratton

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

In April of 1987, a spring blizzard swept through northern Kansas and southern Nebraska killing nearly 60,000 newborn calves and other winter stressed animals. This tremendous loss could have been lessened had protection, such as outdoor living barns (OLB), been provided to reduce the windchill. An outdoor living barn is a specialized windbreak, typically composed of trees and shrubs, and strategically located in open grasslands, center pivot irrigation corners, and pasture areas to protect livestock during severe weather situations.

The purpose of an OLB is to: 1) defuse and deflect cold winds away from livestock, moderating the windchill; and 2) …


American Ginseng Production In Woodlots, Robert L. Beyfuss Jul 1992

American Ginseng Production In Woodlots, Robert L. Beyfuss

Agroforestry Notes (USDA-NAC)

For the past 3,000 years or more the roots of a perennial plant called ginseng have been an important component of traditional Chinese medicine. The roots of wild American ginseng have been harvested, dried, and exported from the United States and Canada to China, since the mid 1700’s. Today, American ginseng is also a very important part of traditional Chinese medicine. It is used as an “adaptogen” that allows the body to adjust to various types of stress. It is not used as a specific cure or remedy for any particular ailment but as a component of many medicinal herbal …