Silvopastoral grazing in Colombia, Mexico and Brazil
Name of sustainable practice or practices Silvopastoral grazing in Colombia, Mexico and Brazil
Name of main actor Centre for Research in Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems, CIPAV. Cali, Colombia
Type of actors involved Pastoralists, Government, Research institutions
Livestock Species Cattle
Country Colombia
Agro-ecological region Tropical and Sub-tropical, Humid/Subhumid
Main feature of best practice Improving environmental sustainability including biodiversity conservation, Contributing to better animal health and welfare, Furthering grain-free strategies in animal feed
Key features of livestock farming system Pastoral livestock keeping, Commercial pastoral livestock keeping
Year practice/management strategies started to be implemented 2009
Key practices implemented to improve sustainability of livestock management Intensive Silvopastoral Systems are a combination of high-density cultivation of fodder shrubs (4.000 to 40.000 plants per ha) with: i) improved tropical grasses; and ii) trees species or palms at densities of 100–600 trees per ha. Such systems are managed via rotational grazing with occupation periods of 12 to 24 hours and 40 to 50 days of resting periods, including provision of water in each paddock. Such systems can be successful examples of integration and natural intensification of production, initially developed in Colombia and expanding to Mexico and Brazil.
Key impacts of the best practices on sustainability of farming system Production levels in such systems include grass, shrubs and trees, cover and food resources for birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. Presence of N-fixing legumes and other tree species improves production and nutrient cycling and eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers. Deep rooted trees also contribute to recover nutrients and water from deeper soil layers and increase carbon sequestration both below and above ground. Tree cover also provides better environmental conditions and welfare for cattle and delivers more biomass, nutrients and shade to animals reducing stress and improving production and body condition.
These systems also promote higher biodiversity compared to treeless systems.
They produce more dry matter, digestible energy and crude protein per ha, and increase milk or meat production while reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and concentrate feeds. Trees also promote higher carbon sequestration per ha. The presence of trees leads to increased soil humidity through reduced evaporation under the canopy, which increases grass growth and resilience to drought. In terms of animal welfare, grazing animals have a constant provision of good quality fodder, and their anxiety and fear are reduced since trees and shrubs provide the possibility of partial or complete concealment.
Constraints and opportunities observed during implementation of described practices The main barriers to the adoption of such systems can include: i) financial capital barriers, ii) knowledge barriers, iii) political issues.
For more information see attached article.
