Shrubs, Trees For Sustainable Livestock Production

CAMBRIDGE, EnglandThe use of pastures with shrubs and trees with edible leaves or fruit is more sustainable for livestock production, and shows improved animal welfare and increased biodiversity, according to research published in the journal Proceedings of The Royal Society B.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have identified silvopastoral systems, which include shrubs and trees with edible leaves or fruits as well as herbage, as the future of sustainable livestock production, compared to today's widely-used production methods.

When ruminants, such as cows, goats and sheep, are consuming the plants from a silvopastoral system, researchers have seen an increase in growth and milk production. Milk production in the tropical silvopastoral system was 4.13 kg per cow when compared with 3.5 kg per day on pasture-only systems. Production of good quality milk per hectare was four to five times greater on the silvopastoral system.

Using a diverse group of edible plants promotes healthy soil with better water retention, encourages predators of harmful animals, minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, improves job satisfaction for farm workers, reduces injury and stress in animals, improves welfare and encourages biodiversity using native shrubs and trees. Additionally, shrubs and trees with edible leaves and shoots, along with pasture plants, produce more food for animals per unit area of land than pasture plants alone and have the added benefit of providing shade and shelter.

A silvopastoral system supports consumers demands for higher standards for how their meat is sourced, with animal welfare and the impact on the environment factoring in many purchases.

"Consumers are now demanding more sustainable and ethically sourced food, including production without negative impacts on animal welfare, the environment and the livelihood of poor producers," said  professor Donald Broom, who led the research. "Silvopastoral systems address all of these concerns with the added benefit of increased production in the long term."