Agroforestry: growing trees with crops and/or livestock on the same land
Silvopasture: grazing livestock and growing trees on the same land
Two income streams: cattle (short term); timber (long-term)
A possible third: enhanced wildlife habitat
Like many other southern cattle producers, the Kerr Center has large pastures kept clear of trees for hay and forage production.
During hot weather, cattle do not graze well in unshaded areas.
Establishing trees in pastures provides shade for cattle and improves grazing. It also helps to remove excess water, which can be a limiting factor for high quality forage.
Establishment methods
- Plant on contour
- Deep mulch: mow and rake, or unroll a round hay bale
- Planting into mulch minimizes weed competition and keeps water in soil
- Rip a furrow: deep furrow channels runoff to seedling roots & reduces erosion
Learn more about forests in the southern United States: https://www.seesouthernforests.org/
Agroforestry News and Publications
Agroforestry Practices
This report covers general concepts and approaches in agroforestry. It includes references, a reading list, tables of planting distances, and a list of tree species suitable for southeastern Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Projects Combine Timber Production with Cattle Grazing
This article describes the implementation and results of two agroforestry projects undertaken on the Kerr Center ranch in the 1990s.
Agroforestry Report
This intern report covers general concepts and approaches in agroforestry.
Agroforestry Overview
This presentation sketches the details of several agroforestry projects on the Kerr Center ranch.
