Raising Livestock in Oak Woodlands

Abstract

In Spain and California, oak woodlands are often used for livestock grazing and husbandry. Livestock raised on the range include sheep, goats, cattle, and horses. In addition, two distinctive Spanish dehesa products are only rarely seen in California, the free-range domestic pig and the fighting bull. The grazing and land-use systems are markedly distinct in each country, even though strong historical and economic connections exist, and climate and ecology are similar. Discussion of the use by livestock of mast and other forage emphasizes the agrosilvopastoral roots of livestock husbandry in Spain. A facet especially worthy of note is the distinctive rearing of the Iberian pig, and the pig’s role in modern-day Spanish food culture and iconography. In California, land use change is a major threat to traditional oak woodland ranching, while in Spain the declining economic value of some dehesa products has caused losses in the diversity of management. In Spain, markets for unique local livestock products are well developed, with denominations of origin and certification of livestock breeds and production systems. In California, attempts to develop niche markets for unique rangeland livestock products are in early development, but fit a growing interest in local, sustainable, forms of agricultural production, and demand for grass-fed, organic, or “natural” meats (with no hormones or sub-therapeutic antibiotics). The conclusions highlight commonalities and differences between Spanish and Californian livestock production. It remains to be seen whether changing markets can make grazing in the woodlands an enterprise profitable enough to sustain itself in the decades ahead.