Adoption of Integrated Livestock-Forest System in the Dairy Cattle Industry

Adoption of integrated livestock-forest system

in the dairy cattle industry.

Izabela Gomes∗1

1

Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, 400 W.P. Garrigus Building,

Lexington, KY 40546.

November 29, 2015

As the population grows, the demand for food of animal origin, of utmost importance in the

basic diet, it is growing. However, the consumer market has become increasingly demanding

in relation to the production method and its impact on the environment. Thus, the need to

produce more food associated with a sustainable system has pressed producers and researchers

to observe and evaluate the production environment since it has influence on the productivity

of the herd, and searching for new management alternatives.

The management of the farm seeks to optimize production processes to achieve profitability

without interfering negatively in the system’s sustainability. Thus, it is necessary to integrate

harmoniously all the factors inherent in productive activities, be they associated with animals,

soil or plant community.

By livestock-forest integration (Silvopastoral system SSP) greater efficiency of socioeconomic resources, plants, animals and environment can be obtained. The SSP is characterized

by the incorporation of trees and shrubs to livestock. One can define it as a system that combines the production of forest plants with animals and pastures, simultaneously or sequentially

in the grounds. With the integration of these components in an appropriate manner, it is possible to obtain additional profits to animal production, in addition to controlling the growth

of undesirable herbaceous vegetation, without significantly affecting the production of the tree

component.

In SSP systems as well as exploit the resources of the soil intensively through conservation

management practices, one seek to expand the activities carried out in the rural environment.

That said, diversification of income leads to profit maximization,...