Abstract
Although silvopastoral systems involving pigs were once widespread in Britain, the practice has largely died out. However, recent changes in pig production techniques, consumer demands and the economic climate within which farmers operate, have led to renewed interest in both traditional and novel tree-pig systems. This paper describes a financial spreadsheet model (MAST) that was developed to: provide a means of determining financial performance of integrating finishing pigs with natural woodland; identify the likely importance of different as yet largely unresearched animal-tree interactions; and, determine which interactions warrant attention in research and management. Preliminary analysis suggests that the financial performance of this agroforestry enterprise could be superior to that of a pasture-based enterprise. The most important factors in determining incremental performance are identified as sales premia for ‘forest-reared’ pork, changes to feed conversion ratios arising from the provision of a heterogeneous microclimate, and the availability of cheaper land rents.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
British Egg Information Service pers. Comm. 2002. Cromwell Road, London, UK, pp. 126–128.
M.J.C. Brownlow (1994) The Characteristics and Viability of Land-use Systems which Integrate Pig or Poultry Production with Forestry in the UK PhD thesis. Department of Agriculture the University of Reading, UK
M.J.C. Brownlow (1994) ArticleTitleTowards a framework of understanding for the integration of forestry with domestic pig (Sus scrofa domestica) and wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) husbandry in the UK Forestry 67(3) 189–218
Brownlow M.J.C., Carruthers S.P. and Dorward P.T. 2000. Alternatives to grazing livestock. In: Hislop M. and Claridge J. (eds), Agroforestry in the UK. Forestry Commission Bulletin 122. Forestry Commission, UK, pp. 58–70.
S.P. Carruthers R.B. Tranter (1989) A Study to Examine the Potential for Agroforestry Systems for Food and Fuel Production in the UK and EC Centre for Agricultural Strategy Reading, UK
DEFRA 2002. Department of Environment, Food and Farming Quarterly Packing Station Survey, October 2002. DEFRA, London, UK.
P.T. Dorward S.P. Carruthers (1990) The Potential for Integrating Livestock with Trees on Farms in the UK, with Special Reference to Pigs and Poultry in Lowland Britain Farm Animal Care Trust London, UK
C.J. Doyle J. Evans J. Rossiter (1986) ArticleTitleAgroforestry: An Economic Appraisal of the Benefits of Intercropping Trees with Grassland in Lowland Britain Agri. Syst. 21 1–32
C. Dupraz S. Newman (1997) Temperate Agroforestry: the European way. A.M. Gordon S. Newman (Eds) Temperate Agroforestry Systems CAB International WallingfordUK 181–236
A.M. Gordon S. Newman (1997) Temperate Agroforestry Systems CAB International WallingfordUK
N. Lampkin M. Measures S. Padel (2002) 2002–2003 Organic Farm Management Handbook Organic Advisory Service University of Wales, AberystwythUK
InstitutionalAuthorNameLotus Development Corporation (1991) User’s Guide: Lotus 1--2--3 for Windows Release 1 0. Lotus Development Corporation CambridgeUSA
InstitutionalAuthorName MLC (1992) Pig Yearbook 1992 MLC Milton Keynes, UK
P.K.R. Nair (1993) An Introduction to Agroforestry Kluwer Academic Publishers DordrechtThe Netherlands
C. Price (1989) The Theory and Application of Forest Economics Basil Blackwell Ltd. OxfordUK
R.F. Ridgeon (1993) The Economics of Pig Production Farming Press Books IpswichUK
P.S. Savill (1991) The Silviculture of Trees used in British Forestry CAB International WallingfordUK
S.H. Sharrow (1999) Silvopastoralism: Competition and facilitation between trees, livestock, and improved grass-clover pastures on temperate rainfed lands. L.E. Buck J.P. Lassoie E.C.M. Fernandes (Eds) Agroforestry in Sustainable Agricultural Systems Lewis Publishers New York, USA 97–110
A. Sheppard (1993) Pig Production 1991–1992 Special Studies in Agricultural Economics No 20. University of Exeter ExeterUK
A.R. Sibbald T.J. Maxwell J.H. Griffiths N.J. Hutchings C.M.A. Taylor P.M. Tabbush I.M.S. White (1987) Agroforestry research in the hills and uplands. M. Bell R.G.H. Bunce (Eds) Agriculture and Conservation in the Hills and Uplands ITE Symposium No 23. ITE CumbriaUK 74–77
M. Stocking J. Bojö N. Abel (1990) Financial and economic analysis of agroforestry: key issues. R.T. Prinsley (Eds) Agroforestry for Sustainable Production: Economic Implications The Commonwealth Secretariat London, UK 13–119
A. Stolba D.G.M. Woodgush (1989) ArticleTitleThe behaviour of pigs in a semi-natural environment Animal production 48(2) 419–425
Thomas T.H. 1990. Evaluating the economics of agroforestry using sensitivity analysis: a case study of poplar, cereals and livestock in the Lowlands of the Welsh borders. In: Bock L. and Rondeaux J. (eds), Marginal Agricultural Land and Efficient Afforestation. CEC Report EUR 10841. CEC, Brussels, pp. 103–122.
T.H. Thomas G.A. Bright (1990) A spreadsheet approach to the economic modelling of agroforestry systems. R.T. Prinsley (Eds) Agroforestry for Sustainable Production: Economic Implications The Commonwealth Secretariat London, UK 353–388
R.W. Willis T.H. Thomas J. van Slycken (1993) ArticleTitlePoplar agroforestry: a re-evaluation of its economic potential on arable land in the United Kingdom For. Ecol. Manage. 57 85–97 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0378-1127(93)90164-I
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brownlow, M., Dorward, P. & Carruthers, S. Integrating natural woodland with pig production in the United Kingdom:an investigation of potential performance and interactions. Agroforest Syst 64, 251–263 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-004-0250-6
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-004-0250-6