Steak 'n wood: demonstrating livestock productivity and environmental service benefits of trees on farm in northern systems

Summary

This project will examine silvopastoral systems (systems incorporating trees and livestock grazing) in sub-tropical and tropical systems, and identify opportunities for carbon neutrality, livestock productivity, and environmental service benefits.

Sub-tropical and tropical silvopastoral-suitable land in Queensland and northern NSW will be examined for potential to:

• mitigate GHG emissions
• maintain economic stability across agro-ecological zones via income diversification and improved productivity
• sustainably use previously unproductive land
• improve animal welfare
• improve on farm biodiversity.

Objectives

The overall objective of this project is to quantify the productivity and ecosystems services of silvopastoral systems as a potential pathway for emissions reduction in livestock grazing enterprises.

The project is also designed to provide the data required to develop decision support tools for producers on the species, numbers, configurations and locations of trees on farm to deliver a carbon benefit. This data will also be used in the carbon accounting framework (SB-GAF).

Benefits to industry

This project will address a barrier to wider adoption of silvopastoral systems by providing producers with a decision-support tool on the carbon benefit. 

Additional benefits resulting from silvopastoral systems include:

• improved beef and timber production
• reduction of GHG emissions
• increased biodiversity
• reduced livestock heat stress
• improved value of red meat as a trusted source of high-quality protein and social license
• long term increases in farm profitability.