Agroforestry fodder

Technical articles

Wood Livestock Agroforestry

Fodders from agroforestry can feed herds

The use of trees as fodder is a practice that dates back to the Neolithic and was commonly used until the 20th century. With climate change, farmers are increasingly facing a lack of fodder, especially at the end of summer. Tree fodders, providing quality feed, low cost and storable, could be a solution to create more sustainable and resilient livestock farming.

Fodder autonomy

Building fodder stocks is an increasingly worrying issue in livestock farming. With more and longer drought episodes, the meadows no longer produce enough to feed animals all year round.

Which species for quality fodder?

Using hedges and trees on the farm would help overcome these problems. Pollards are also a good source of fodder when pruned. Not all species are nutritionally interesting, but it is better to first use the spontaneous species growing on the farm and then supplement.

Source : ARBELE, the TREE in herbivore livestock farms : multiple functions and uses, in collaboration with INRA Lusignan

The most interesting species (the most digestible and richest in nitrogenous matter) are the White mulberry, the Ash and the Chestnut tree. These species have an energy profile close to other common fodders such as English Ryegrass.

Some trees can be entirely consumed, such as the London plane, which cattle particularly appreciate.

Small ruminants especially prefer birch and field maple.

Using woody fodder

Direct grazing or distribution

Animals can graze directly on agroforestry plots, or feed after tree cutting.

For direct grazing, it is necessary that the species be at the height of the grazing animals. This method does not require mechanical intervention, but it is still necessary to eliminate some species such as brambles. Be careful not to let animals graze on trees less than 4 to 5 years old to avoid causing too much damage and seeing them die. It is also better to protect the tree trunks and buds during the first years.

For distribution, 2 solutions can be considered :

• Cut the branches then leave them on the ground so that animals can graze.
• Cut the branches then put them in racks, especially for more fragile species that could be trampled and thus lose nutritional quality.

Tree management

Grazing of woody plants can be done in summer (between July and October), when meadows are under the most climatic pressure. This period is also when there is the least pathological risk for trees.

Cutting also depends on the type of species present.

Interests and benefits

Fodder economy

By using woody fodder, farmers can save on fodder purchases and gain an autonomy they did not have before.

Maintenance of hedges and trees

Grazing by animals helps to reduce the time and thus the cost of maintenance of hedges and trees. Moreover, the presence of these trees brings many advantages :

• Ecosystem : they are reservoirs of biodiversity.
• Energy : hedges can be used for energy wood production.
• Bedding for animals : species that do not have an interesting energy profile can be used as bedding.

Benefits for animals

• Nutritional gain : some trees and shrubs, such as black elder, are more interesting than orchardgrass or alfalfa.
• Health gain : tannins present in trees are also antiparasitic and beneficial for livestock health.
• Well-being : trees provide shaded areas where animals can shelter.