Silvopasture: Integrating Livestock and Trees for a Thriving Farm

Updated on the 16th of January 2025

Silvopasture is gaining momentum as one of the most practical and rewarding agroforestry systems for UK farmers. At its heart, silvopasture combines trees with grazing livestock, creating a harmonious system where both can thrive. With updated government funding making it more accessible than ever, there’s never been a better time to explore silvopasture for your farm.

What is silvopasture?

Silvopasture is the integration of trees, pasture, and livestock in a way that benefits all three. Picture rows of trees providing shade and shelter for your cattle or sheep, while their grazing keeps weeds at bay and their manure enriches the soil. Add in the long-term benefits of timber, fruit, or carbon credits, and you have a system that’s as sustainable as it is productive.

There are many ways to implement silvopasture, such as:

• Tree belts in pastures: Planting rows of trees within grazing areas to reduce wind exposure and provide shade.
• Woodland grazing: Allowing livestock to graze in existing woodlands, with careful management to protect trees and biodiversity.
• Fruit or nut orchards with grazing: Combining high-value orchard crops with grazing livestock to optimise land use.

Why choose silvopasture?

Farming is full of challenges, from rising costs to unpredictable weather. Silvopasture offers practical solutions to these issues:

• Boost livestock health: Shade and shelter reduce heat stress and improve productivity in livestock.
• Enhance biodiversity: Trees create habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife, supporting your farm’s ecosystem.
• Improve soil health: Tree roots stabilise soil and reduce erosion, while livestock grazing prevents overgrowth.
• Diversify income: Earn from timber, fruit, or carbon credits in addition to your livestock.
• Access funding: Updated Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) schemes now offer robust financial support for silvopasture projects.

What’s new for 2025?

The latest updates to government schemes have made silvopasture more accessible and rewarding than ever:

1. Tree planting grants: Receive up to £6,800 per hectare to establish tree belts or orchards within grazing land.
2. Maintenance payments: Annual grants of £200 per hectare to ensure your trees are healthy and well-maintained.
3. Tenant-friendly rules: Farmers on short-term leases can now access funding, making silvopasture an option for more landowners.
4. Streamlined applications: Apply for silvopasture funding alongside other environmental actions, like pollinator margins or water management, through a unified platform.
5. Focus on climate resilience: Additional incentives are available for projects that prioritise carbon sequestration and climate adaptation.

How to get started

Embarking on a silvopasture project can feel like a big leap, but breaking it into manageable steps makes it straightforward. Here’s how:

1. Assess your land: Look for underutilised grazing areas, slopes prone to erosion, or fields exposed to harsh weather. These are prime spots for silvopasture.
2. Set your goals: Decide what you want to achieve. Is it improved livestock welfare, timber production, or biodiversity gains? Your objectives will shape your approach.
3. Choose the right trees: Select species suited to your goals and land conditions. Fast-growing timber trees like poplar can provide quick returns, while fruit or nut trees offer long-term profitability.
4. Plan your layout: Spacing and arrangement are key. Rows, clusters, or scattered trees will depend on your grazing system and land type.
5. Explore funding options: With grants of up to £6,800 per hectare, silvopasture projects can be highly cost-effective. AskGrant can help you navigate the application process and maximise your funding.
6. Consult experts: DEFRA advisors and agroforestry specialists can guide you in designing a system that works for your farm.
7. Start small: Trial a small area to see how silvopasture fits into your operations. Learn from this and scale up gradually.

Why now?

Silvopasture isn’t just about planting trees; it’s about planting the future. By integrating trees and livestock, you’re setting up your farm to be more resilient, productive, and sustainable. The 2025 updates to Countryside Stewardship make it easier and more rewarding to take the leap, with higher payments, broader eligibility, and streamlined applications.

At AskGrant, we’re here to help you every step of the way. From choosing the right system to securing funding, our experts make the process simple and stress-free. Ready to transform your farm? Sign up today and let’s grow a thriving future together.

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