Over the past decade, the Irish dairy sector has experienced significant growth in herd size and milk production.
As demand has increased, many dairy farms have intensified operations to enhance productivity.
However, this rise in intensive farming has also raised environmental concerns, including biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, and water quality.
With these challenges, Irish dairy farmers face increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices to meet climate targets and address public concerns about farming’s environmental impact.
One promising solution? Silvopasture.
Silvopasture
Silvopasture is a sustainable farming method that integrates trees with pasture. Dairy farms and other livestock operations can adopt silvopasture by planting trees in grazing areas, achieving multiple benefits without major disruptions to current operations.
Thoughtful planting designs can provide ecosystem and economic gains, including enhanced biodiversity, improved soil health, and carbon sequestration.
Silvopasture could be a game-changer for dairy farmers, creating resilient farms that mitigate climate impact while improving animal welfare and farm economics.
Environmental benefits
Silvopasture offers environmental advantages that also lower costs. Prof. Jim McAdam, a researcher in agroforestry, highlights how mature silvopasture systems extend the grazing season, reducing housing costs by providing shelter for livestock.
Trees root deeply, which helps them absorb nutrients and prevents nutrient leaching, leading to faster nutrient cycling and less soil erosion.
Studies show that silvopasture systems can improve land productivity by 42–55%, compared to managing pasture and trees separately.
When grazing is combined with strategically planted trees, farmers benefit from healthier pastures and improved nutrient cycles.
Carbon sequestration and climate impact
Ireland’s agriculture sector plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation, and Silvopasture contributes to this effort by capturing carbon.
In a Northern Ireland study, a 24-year-old silvopasture system with Ash trees sequestered up to 3.2 tonnes of carbon per hectare annually.
If farms implement well-managed hedgerows and tree rows in silvopasture systems, they can work towards carbon-neutral livestock production.
With proper management, Silvopasture could position Irish dairy farms as leaders in sustainable and climate-friendly dairy production.
Animal welfare and herd health
Healthy herds are the backbone of profitable dairy operations, and Silvopasture can enhance animal welfare. Adding trees to grazing areas provides livestock with natural shelter from wind and temperature extremes.
Dr. Lindsay Whistance from the Organic Research Centre explained that shaded areas during hot weather help animals maintain feeding behaviour and prevent reproductive issues and diseases, such as mastitis.
In colder months, shelter from trees reduces stress and energy loss, leading to better growth rates and efficient production.
The shelter also supports pasture health, with trees increasing the soil’s water-holding capacity and reducing evapotranspiration.
This means steadier pasture growth during dry spells, adding resilience to dairy farms, especially during periods of summer drought. Additionally, trees help reduce the impact of night frosts, warming the ground by up to 6°C, which encourages earlier spring growth and extends the autumn grazing season.
For dairy farmers, silvopasture allows rotational grazing, a practice already common in dairy operations. Trees can be planted along paddock boundaries, minimising space loss and making silage cutting possible between tree rows.
Even incorporating a small portion of land into silvopasture can deliver significant benefits, offering fresh herbage into the winter and extending the grazing season without affecting intensive milking platforms.
With thoughtful planning, Silvopasture is a practical option for any dairy farmer.
Economic viability and Silvopasture
Silvopasture is economically feasible, offering both short and long-term financial returns. Tree crops, such as fruit and nut trees, begin generating income within five to 20 years.
For timber, rotation periods range from five years for coppiced wood to over 80 years for hardwoods.
Additionally, as trees mature, they require thinning to maintain pasture growth.
These thinned trees can be sold as timber or firewood, adding an extra revenue stream. Therefore, Silvopasture not only supports long-term profitability, but also introduces new income opportunities for Irish dairy farmers.
Silvopasture’s positive public image
Irish dairy farmers are mindful of their industry’s public perception. Silvopasture promotes sustainable, animal-friendly practices that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
Cows and calves grazing under trees project a wholesome, natural image that aligns with high animal welfare standards.
This system demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, enhancing the dairy sector’s reputation and helping farms connect with consumers who value ethical farming practices
Financial support and incentives
To promote agroforestry, the Irish government has launched the Afforestation Programme 2023-2027. This programme provides financial support specifically for silvopasture.
Farmers establishing Silvopasture can receive an establishment grant of €8,555/ha and an annual premium of €975/ha for 10 years.
These grants can be combined with Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and Organic Farming Scheme payments for eligible land.
By integrating trees into grazing areas, dairy farmers can access financial support to boost sustainability, protect biodiversity, and enhance ecosystem services.
