Livestock Welfare and Performance in Silvopastures
In addition to the products and environmental services provided, trees in silvopastures can benefit animal welfare through the provision of shade. The value of shade for livestock should not be defined merely by apparent gains in productivity as heat may negatively affect animal comfort and behavior prior to any noticeable decline in performance. The objective of a recent study at a 20-year-old hardwood silvopasture site in Blacksburg, VA, was to document not only the productivity of these systems, but also the benefits to sheep comfort and behavior.
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- Written by Pent & Fike
- Parent Category: 2017 Vol. 23
- Category: Volume 23 No. 1 May 2017