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Livestock producers' operational perspectives and characteristics are known to be associated with silvopasture adoption, but findings in the literature are mixed and contradictory. To study whether characteristics or perspectives more closely relate to silvopasture interest, 307 livestock producers enrolled in cost-share programs in Virginia, United States of America were surveyed. One hundred and thirty-nine producers responded (rate = 45%). Interest in silvopasture was measured using a Likert-type ordinal scale. Respondents reported the following operational characteristics: size in hectares, type and number of livestock, and primary or secondary occupation. Twelve Likert-type ordinal scales were used to measure the following operational perspectives: financial emphasis, cultural importance, and attitudes pertaining to operational diversification using trees. Multivariate cluster methods were used to group respondents into two classification sets, one based on operational characteristics and the other operational perspectives. Tests for significant differences in silvopasture interest between classifications in each set were conducted using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis rank sums (alpha = 0.05). Silvopasture interest differed significantly among classifications based on operational perspectives, but not operational characteristics. Cross-tabulations of the two sets and Cramer's V test indicated that the two classification sets are unrelated. Findings suggest silvopasture interest cuts across operation type and is more closely tied to producers' perspectives, particularly views related to diversification. Technical transfer programs and stakeholder engagement should focus on matching perspectives to practice regardless of operational scale and scope. ; Published version ; Public domain authored by a U.S. government employee

Silvopastoral management has potential to diversify and increase the output from livestock systems. Silvopastures offer solutions to many management issues associated with grazing systems in Appalachia (USA). Several tree species have been proposed for silvopastures in humid temperate regions, but few data comparing animal performance from systems with different deciduous tree species are available. The objective of this project was to compare early-stage honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos)or black walnut (Juglans nigra)silvopastures with open pastures in terms of forage botanical composition, yield, and nutritive value, and in terms of gain, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of hair sheep (Ovis aries) that grazed these systems. Forage and animal performance from open systems (i.e., no trees) was compared with that from silvopastures containing 13- and 14-year-old honeylocust or black walnut trees. Cool-season grass-legume pastures were rotationally stocked with crossbred hair sheep from mid-June through September in 2008 and 2009. Forage production varied by year and pre-graze forage mass in black walnut silvopastures generally was less (P0.05) than in open pastures at most measurement periods. Averaged over the season, forage production in honeylocust silvopastures tended (P=0.0937) to be lower than in open systems in 2008 and was lower (P=0.0001) in 2009. Few differences in forage nutritive value among systems were observed. Total and average daily gains (ADG) did not differ among treatments in 2008, but black walnut silvopastures supported less (P0.05) ADG and total gain than open pastures and honeylocust silvopastures in 2009. Carcass characteristics evaluated did not vary among treatments although hot carcass weights were lower (P<0.05) for lambs that grazed black walnut silvopastures. Although walnut-based systems were less productive and will need modification to improve output, similar levels of performance between open pastures and honeylocust systems show the potential of silvopasture systems to supply multiple products from the land base without reducing agricultural system production. ; Public domain authored by a U.S. government employee

Silvopasture is the intentional integration of trees, forages, and livestock. Benefits of this agroforestry practice include shade for livestock, nutritious forage, and reduced wind speed in pastures, as well as ecosystem services and tree products. The literature indicate that some livestock producers are interested in silvopasture, but little is known about their establishment preferences and if they vary by demographics or operation type. This study hypothesized that producers are equally interested in planting trees in pastures (planting) and reducing forest canopy and planting forages (thinning) to establish silvopasture, and that the effects of the potential benefits of silvopasture on their preferences are similar. To test these hypotheses, 307 livestock producers in Virginia, United States of America were surveyed about whether they prefer planting or thinning. Producers also were asked about the extent to which potential benefits of silvopasture affect their preferences. Nearly 25% of the 139 respondents (response rate = 45%) were 'very interested' in thinning, compared to 8% for planting. Animal performance and welfare was their primary goal, but forest management and whole-farm productivity also were important. Guidelines are needed for maintaining stand health and productivity when thinning and for improving tree protection and growth in pastures when planting to establish silvopasture. ; Published version ; Public domain authored by a U.S. government employee

Current knowledge of yield potential and best agronomic management practices for perennial bioenergy grasses is primarily derived from small-scale and short-term studies, yet these studies inform policy at the national scale. In an effort to learn more about how bioenergy grasses perform across multiple locations and years, the U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE)/Sun Grant Initiative Regional Feedstock Partnership was initiated in 2008. The objectives of the Feedstock Partnership were to (1) provide a wide range of information for feedstock selection (species choice) and management practice options for a variety of regions and (2) develop national maps of potential feedstock yield for each of the herbaceous species evaluated. The Feedstock Partnership expands our previous understanding of the bioenergy potential of switchgrass, Miscanthus, sorghum, energycane, and prairie mixtures on Conservation Reserve Program land by conducting long-term, replicated trials of each species at diverse environments in the U.S. Trials were initiated between 2008 and 2010 and completed between 2012 and 2015 depending on species. Field-scale plots were utilized for switchgrass and Conservation Reserve Program trials to use traditional agricultural machinery. This is important as we know that the smaller scale studies often overestimated yield potential of some of these species. Insufficient vegetative propagules of energycane and Miscanthus prohibited farm-scale trials of these species. The Feedstock Partnership studies also confirmed that environmental differences across years and across sites had a large impact on biomass production. Nitrogen application had variable effects across feedstocks, but some nitrogen fertilizer generally had a positive effect. National yield potential maps were developed using PRISM-ELM for each species in the Feedstock Partnership. This manuscript, with the accompanying supplemental data, will be useful in making decisions about feedstock selection as well as agronomic practices across a wide region of the country. ; North Central Regional Sun Grant Center at South Dakota State University through US Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office [DE-FC36-05GO85041] ; This research was supported by funding from the North Central Regional Sun Grant Center at South Dakota State University through a grant provided by the US Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office under award number DE-FC36-05GO85041. The authors would also like to thank the many individuals who assisted with data collection, producers who allowed field trials to be conducted on their land, and any others who helped make the Feedstock Partnership a success. ; Public domain authored by a U.S. government employee