Practice Abstract - Research and innovation

Improving the Pig Agroforestry system: which trees do we have to protect and how to set up an efficient trees protection? (Network: France | AGROOF)

Agroforestry systems for pig farms represent 1% of pig farms in France. But under social and policy pressure, the obligation of free-range becomes more and more present in certified productions. But a single pasture without tree poses different questions in terms of resilience: lack of animal protection, problem of soil erosion, lack of intrinsic forage resources… All farmers are concerned by the problem of protecting trees in the presence of pigs, whatever the density of pigs by hectare. It also concerns all kind of trees: young trees plantation or mature trees, alone, in hedge or in clump. During the project, we realised some surveys in different regions and tested some new kinds of protection, such as the Cactus Protector, produced by a Spanish enterprise. all farmers are concerned by the problem of protecting trees in the presence of pigs. The cost depends of the fence size. A fence height of 70 cm seems sufficient, but with a circumference of 1m60 for young trees at least. It cost less than 10 euros but you have to add the stems (3 units). For the mature trees, a height of 40 cm could be enough to protect the bark.

Source Project
MIXED - Multi-actor and transdisciplinary development of efficient and resilient MIXED farming and agroforestry systems
Ongoing | 2020-2025
Main funding source
Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
Geographical location
Denmark
Project details

Project Keywords