Silvopasture Strategies with Greg Brann

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🎙️ Episode Title: Silvopasture Strategies with Greg Brann

In this episode, Greg Brann shares how he integrates trees into his pasture-based livestock operation in Adolphus, Kentucky. The episode explores the practice of silvopasture—a regenerative approach that blends trees, forage, and livestock to enhance productivity and ecological balance.

Greg outlines the benefits of silvopasture, including increased forage through browse, timber value, improved livestock comfort, and better manure distribution. He emphasizes the need for intentional design, proper shade management, and species selection to make silvopasture work long-term.

Through practical examples, Greg breaks down the steps to get started and the tools needed to protect young trees, manage multi-species herds, and maintain healthy forage growth under partial canopy.

🔑 Key Points Covered:

1. What is Silvopasture?

   • Purposeful integration of trees and grazing

   • Ideal shade: 20–35%, or 4–11 mature trees per acre

2. Benefits of Silvopasture:

   • Extra forage (1,000–2,000 lbs/acre) from browse

   • Shade and comfort for animals

   • Improved soil health and grazing uniformity

   • Long-term timber value

3. How to Implement:

   • Thin existing woodlots or plant new trees (fence-line rows preferred)

   • Maintain at least 50% light penetration for forage

   • Protect trees until they reach 15 feet tall

4. Animal Considerations:

   • Multi-species options (sheep, goats, cattle)

   • Sheep cause the least tree damage

   • Livestock may be managed together or in rotation

🌱 Actionable Insights:

1. Start with a Clear Plan:

   • Define silvopasture goals and choose tree/forage species accordingly

2. Protect Your Investment:

   • Use tree tubes, offset fencing, or electric barriers to protect young trees

3. Manage the System:

   • Prune trees before limbs hit 2-inch diameter

   • Rotate animals frequently to avoid compaction

4. Choose Smart Forage:

   • Opt for shade-tolerant species like orchardgrass, fescue, eastern gamagrass, and Virginia wild rye

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👉 Tune in with your favorite podcast app to The Stockman Grassfarmer Podcast and discover how silvopasture can increase your farm’s resilience, productivity, and profitability—starting with the trees around you.