You know it’s good (for SO MANY reasons) to have cows outside grazing grass, right? But do you picture them grazing in a wide open field? Or do you picture them grazing under trees? And why might this matter?
While the pace of outdoor work is a tad bit slower in the winter, your farmers get the chance to stock up on workshops & seminars. One of the most intriguing topics we’ve listened to this year is the idea of adding trees to existing pastures, and not just a few, but a lot of trees. This is one of the ways to create silvopasture, which is the intentional incorporation of trees into pasture. Sometimes wooded areas are thinned to promote grass growth, and sometimes trees are added to established grass. Benefits of silvopasture are many: -shade for livestock & also for grasses, both of which suffer from intense hot sun -potential for added animal or human food crops (for example - willow, honey locust pods, and mulberries are all tree crops that cows can gain a diversity of nutrients from!) More diverse diets = more nutrition & more flavor in milk & meat! -increased carbon capture -increased biological diversity & wildlife habitat One tree in a field is a problem, because the whole herd will congregate under that tree depositing too much “fertilizer” in one spot, and ruining the grass that might be growing there. Planting a regularly spaced grid of trees in a field will provide lots of shade so that the herd continues to move & graze throughout the space, evenly distributing nutrients and mowing off grass. Specific species of trees fit different scenarios, but ultimately trees that have high and thin canopies work best, so that grass still gets adequate sun. Also, trees that leaf out later and drop leaves earlier allow grass more exposure to sun in the spring & fall when heat is not a concern. Then there’s the whole strategy of how to protect young trees from cows (& deer) that will think they’re a delicious snack until they get established! Trees are an investment for the future, but we are excited to consider what our farm might look like in 5, 10, or 20 years based on what we are starting to plan out now. We are still learning and need to fit together the pieces of sourcing trees, funding them, protecting them, and more! Our decisions are always made with the future in mind, so that we can continue to provide a reliable supply of delicious, nutrient dense food for you and yours, and the future looks bright - make that shady! If we’ve piqued your curiosity - check out www.treesforgraziers.com/learn ! Stay tuned for updates as this plan unfolds - we look forward to extending an opportunity to come out & help us plant trees!
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AuthorI'm half of the Crosswinds farmer duo bringing you farm fresh cheeses, beef, and pork from the heart of the Finger Lakes! Stay tuned for our daily adventures growing a family & a farm, and food for your table. We welcome your questions & comments, but please keep them respectful! For the latest updates, please follow Crosswinds Farm & Creamery on Facebook or Instagram! Archives
February 2024
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