Post 48. What is silvopasture? Can growing trees help to deliver carbon-neutral beef?

 

What is silvopasture?

Silvopasture is the intentional integration of pasture, livestock and trees where the trees and pasture are managed for economic, environmental and social benefits. Whilst the trees are capturing carbon above the soil the grass and other plants are capturing carbon in the soil. The trees also provide shade for the livestock, which is good for animal welfare.

What is multi functionality?

Quite simply, it means that one activity can provide many functions supporting nature, food, fuel and fibre production and providing benefits e.g. carbon capture, water quality improvement, sometimes called an 'ecosystem service.'

In Brazil, in 2019 I visited a farm with fast growing Eucalyptus trees where they were looking at silvopasture with cattle and the wood was then, when the trees were felled, being turned into charcoal. This charcoal was being used to replace fossil fuel in other industries. An example of carbon capture, but also multi-functionality. The aim was to produce net zero carbon beef.

In March 2022, one farm in New Zealand were certified as producing carbon neutral beef - check out the link. This means that all emissions are offset on the farm by other forms of sequestration or carbon capture - something they describe as insetting. Carbon-neutral beef is becoming more frequently available..