Lookout at Poteau, Oklahoma
The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture has developed a large-scale method of tree establishment for agroforestry plantings that integrates a timber production component into a cattle grazing operation. The method is site adaptable, environmentally safe, cost efficient, and can be implemented with tools already present in the agricultural operation. Maximum use is made of on-farm inputs. There are synergistic biological interactions between the trees, cattle, and productive capacity of the site.
The key to the tree establishment method is the formation of mulched contour tree rows at spacings which facilitate future management, maintenance, and production objectives. The mulched contour tree rows control forage competition; cycle and supply nutrients; improve soil moisture, air, and biological levels; reduce erosion; increase diversity; and provide wildlife habitat. The wood products provide a long-term, income-generating opportunity, and the tree component increases and sustains pasture productivity.
The Kerr Center has obtained good tree survival and a good rate of tree growth on the 65 acres planted with this method of tree establishment. The method has widespread application for timber and cattle agroforestry systems. It remains unlikely, however, that such strategies will be adopted widely by farmers until demonstration proves that they can be integrated profitably into working farms and ranches.
Like many other southern region cattle producers, the Kerr Center has large pastures cleared of trees and maintained in that condition for hay and forage production. Producers with treeless pastures find that during heat stress, cattle do not graze well in unshaded areas. Establishing trees in these pastures provides shade for cattle and allows for more even grazing. It also helps to remove excess water, which can be a limiting factor for high-quality forage.
Timbers with native grass
Agroforestry Research Projects:
In 1991 a multi-disciplinary team, with livestock, forestry, agricultural economics, and environmental expertise, designed and implemented two large-scale timber and cattle agroforestry projects on the Kerr Center ranch. The emphasis thus far has centered on developing a cattle compatible tree establishment method which uses on-farm inputs and only equipment presently available on most farms. This tree establishment method can be easily modified to suit soil and water conditions and the needs and desires of landowners.
The two projects have the same objectives:
- to develop profitable agroforestry systems that fit easily into established farming systems
- to maintain records of capital investments and variable costs for establishment and maintenance
- to track production from timber, cattle, and other enterprises
- to monitor the effects of timber and cattle management on soil conditions and farm productivity
- to provide a working agroforestry demonstration for regional farmers, and
- to increase, enhance, and diversify the wildlife population and habitat
A unique feature of these projects is the establishment and maintenance method of the timber component. We mowed the forage present at the sites using a sickle bar mower and windrowed the forage to tree contour lines from both sides with a side delivery rake. The mowing and windrowing built up a thick matt of mulch on the tree contours into which the tree seedlings were planted during the winter. The mowing also removed the overburden of summer grasses allowing the more palatable cool-season legumes and grasses to grow better.
Windrow is cutting the mulch from timber trees
