An analysis of a silvopastoral system for the marginal land in the Southeast United States

Abstract

Almost 20 million acres of non-forest cropland in the South can be classified as marginal. Demand projections for forest products call for a 40 percent increase by year 2030. Recent regenerated tree acres lag behind harvested acres. Multiple land use practices combining trees and grazing adjusts cash flows forward mitigating negative flow period associated with conventional forest production. Profit opportunities for private, non-industrial landowners can be increased by ranking inputs in order of changes to net present value (NPV). A sensitivity analysis of an agroforestry scenario, including trees, beef cattle, and pasture, allows producers to concentrate management efforts where returns are greatest. Model results show greatest returns to NPV was realized from improvement to Chip-N-Saw income. The least increase in NPV came when the cost of control burns was changed. ObjectiveSocietal goals for agricultural land include conserving soil and water, controlling environmental pollution, and using both depletable and renewable resources wisely. Though not inconsistent with producer goals, financial stability is also necessary if a productive agriculture is to be sustained. When producers can be shown that an agricultural enterprise 1) is profitable, 2) produces a positive cash flow, and 3) shows efficiency and consistency, then implementation is likely to follow.The purpose of this paper is to determine the economic efficiency relationship between measures of enterprize profitability and varying levels of inputs. This will be accomplished by using input sensitivity analysis to examine the effect on profitability measures of an agroforestry enterprise, a multiple use agricultural cropping activity that is compatible with concerns of society for resource management. Input sensitivity analysis provides information necessary to assure that the agroforestry enterprise can be made compatible with financial goals of producers.

Mapping Intra-Field Yield Variation Using High Resolution Satellite Imagery to Integrate Bioenergy and Environmental Stewardship in an Agricultural Watershed

“…One option explored at plot and field scales is the use of marginal agricultural lands [11][12][13][14]. Definitions of marginal agricultural lands include sub-optimal production areas for commodity crops [14][15][16][17][18], areas susceptible to environmental degradation (e.g., erosion and nitrate leaching) when put into agricultural production [15,16], and small or irregular fields that are not suited for optimal farm machinery operations (based on discussions with farmers). Intra-field sub-optimal production areas are economically burdensome for farmers and may coincide with nutrient sink hotspots [19] and are therefore ideal for the integration of bioenergy crops into current agricultural systems to support sustainable landscapes and the provisioning of ecosystem services.…”

Considerations for Establishing and Managing Silvopastures

“…Grazing new conifer plantations increased tree height and diameter growth and these positive effects were maintained several years after grazing ceased (36). Increased wood production and greater growth of loblolly (P. taeda) and radiata pines also have been reported (17,75).…”

“…Several studies indicate well-managed tree-forage intercropping can increase timber yield above typical management (12,13,14,17,36,75). Grazing new conifer plantations increased tree height and diameter growth and these positive effects were maintained several years after grazing ceased (36).…”

An assessment of agroforestry systems in the southern USA

“…Owing to the cover of trees and the support provided by their roots, maintenance of some woody vegetation on a site, versus complete conversion to row crops or pasture for livestock, generally results in less soil erosion and land degradation (Dangerfield and Harwell, 1990;Wojtkowski and Cubbage, 199 I). The USDA Forest Service (1988) estimated that almost seven million ha of marginal cropland and pasture land in the region would provide higher economic returns if planted to pine.…”