Haies en systèmes sylvopastoraux :multifunctional resources for sustainable agriculture

Hedge / Haies en systèmes sylvopastoraux :multifunctional resources for sustainable agriculture - Ver de Terre Production

Livestock farming Cattle Agroforestry Hedgerows grazing systems tree protection fodder hedges pruning

Faced with the growing sustainability challenges in agriculture, hedgerows are regaining a central role in the design of agroecological systems, especially in livestock farming. Their integration into pastures is no longer just a landscape or environmental approach: they become true living infrastructures, multifunctional and strategic. Combining agronomic, ecological, economic, and social benefits, hedgerows in silvopastoral systems provide a concrete response to the challenges of agroecological transition, from animal welfare to resilience against climate change.

Why integrate hedgerows into grazing systems?

The integration of hedgerows into grazing systems, whether inter- or intra-field, offers many benefits at different scales. Agronomically, they improve yields, protect against soil erosion, provide beneficial shade during heat waves, and promote animal welfare. They also supply woody fodder, a local, accessible, and sustainable resource. Many species present in hedgerows are indeed consumable by ruminants and can constitute a complementary food resource to pastures, allowing better management of fodder shortages during drought. To allow direct grazing, hedgerows can be managed as pollards or coppices.

Ecologically, hedgerows promote carbon storage and increase organic matter near the plantations. They also play a role in water regulation, serving as buffer zones against excess or lack of water, while creating ecological corridors. They enhance the diversity and complexity of systems, host biodiversity, and can even contribute to the regulation of parasitism and diseases. The introduction of trees into pastures encourages the development of a diverse vegetation cover, improves grass growth, and thus increases fodder productivity.

Economically, they can generate additional income and allow savings, notably on bedding materials. Finally, they have a significant landscape and social impact, enhancing territories.

Designing a hedgerow adapted to grazing systems

The success of a hedgerow planting project in a grazing system relies on a good understanding of the site. The analysis must be done at the farm scale and involve several levels of observation. A topographic reading allows identification of environmental interactions as well as the influence of altitude and exposure. Key factors include altitude, rainfall, prevailing winds, soil characteristics (texture, depth, pH, drainage, presence of stones or active limestone), and existing vegetation. It is also important to identify water flows (streams, ditches, ponds, flood zones), as they influence species adaptability to wet soils.

Before planting, it is important to clearly define the objectives of the hedgerow: livestock protection, biodiversity, water retention, fodder production, windbreak, etc. The choice of species, height, and type of hedgerow (fodder, melliferous, windbreak) will depend on these objectives, available space, site constraints, and type of livestock. Favoring diverse, preferably local species, and integrating several vertical layers maximizes ecological benefits.

Technical guidelines

Permanently retain at least 20% of young trees to ensure natural regeneration of the hedgerow.
To maximize agroecological effects, maintain a minimum width of 1.5 meters and avoid topping, which limits growth and reduces ecological and agronomic value.
The placement must consider plot characteristics: slope, erosion risk, prevailing winds, drought. The projected shade should also be anticipated.

Integrated management of hedgerows in sustainable grazing systems

To sustainably enhance the tree capital, establishing a hedgerow management plan at the farm scale is highly recommended. This plan allows scheduling uses (timber, firewood, chips), organizing cutting rotations, identifying hedgerows to regenerate, and planning necessary formative pruning.

In grazed systems, tree protection is essential. Installing fences 1.5 meters from the planting line provides sufficient growth space while allowing access to foliage and young shoots. Fence height can be adapted according to livestock type for tailored management, and maintenance of surroundings can be facilitated by natural grazing or mechanical tools.

Grazing of hedgerows requires precise regulation of browsing pressure to avoid overexploitation of the woody parts. Rotational grazing of hedgerows by cattle has shown good results, as observed in early feedback from the OAsYs experimental dairy system (Novak et al., 2020), whereas continuous grazing by heifers or dry cows causes more damage: tree injuries and soil erosion at the base of trunks.

Some species, such as ash, elm, maple or willow, have good fodder potential due to their digestibility and mineral content, some also having phytotherapeutic properties. During drought, leaves of chestnut, hazel or sycamore, as well as needles of pine and buds, can provide up to 15 days of ration for cattle, goats, or sheep.

Regarding hedgerow maintenance, annual coppice pruning is recommended for young hedgerows (less than 10 years), with cuts at 10–15 cm from the ground to promote low branching and root regrowth, improving plant resistance and anchorage. For older hedgerows, cutting every 10 to 12 years (coppicing and thinning) is advised. All maintenance interventions (pruning, basal shredding) should be carried out between November and February to preserve fauna and reduce health risks.

Haies en systèmes sylvopastoraux :multifunctional resources for sustainable agriculture

Contents

Why integrate hedgerows into grazing systems?

Designing a hedgerow adapted to grazing systems

Technical guidelines

Integrated management of hedgerows in sustainable grazing systems

Further reading (Bibliography)