Description
Farmers have implemented agroforestry within grazed grasslands and plots of annual crops. Trees have been planted on 12 ha for 7 years (50 trees per hectare). Strips of trees are planted every 18 or 21 meters.
Trees are all about stimulating animals to pasture all over the grassland area, by providing a cooler and shaded environment and a weather protection. This land-use system improves cattle grazing.
Reason for the innovation
A sustainable land-use system to adapt to climate change and provide cattle good grazing conditions
A gradual implementation considering labour and cash flow: tree planta-tions occurred over three years
Improving his agroforestry knowledge and skills through training and with the support of a specialist consultant
Farm description
Environment
- Soils: Loam
- Climate: Temperate oceanic climate
- Altitude : 75 m
Grassland management
- Grazing: Yes
- Grazing management type: strip stocking
Structure
- Annual Work Unit: 1,9
- Organic agriculture
- Agricultural area : 42 ha UAA
- Herd: 55 Normand dairy cows—80 LU
- Forage area:
- 30 ha temporary grasslands
- 5 ha corn silage
- 3,5 ha cereal silage
- Bought forage: 30 ha grass silage and hay
- Sales in short supply chains: beef, wood
Animal performance
- Milk production per head : 6 500 L /year
Why it is working
A strong motivation to adapt the dairy system to climate change and a strong interest in tree management.
Training and exchanges: farmer received technical trainings and visited other farms before starting his project.
Good practices and rigour in tree management (protecting trees against cattle, tree trimming, choice of tree species).
Tree density and plot size suitable for farm mechanisation and ensuring sensible workload.
