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Livestock Benefit from Shelterbelts
Planting shelterbelts has been designated as a best management practice by the Climate
Change Action Fund (CCAF) Agricultural Awareness Partnership Project. The CCAF
was established in 1998 by the federal government to help Canada meet its commitments
under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is intended to
support early actions to reduce GHG emissions and increase understanding of the
impact, cost and benefits of implementation options open to Canada.
Trees can be utilized in a number of ways to provide protection for livestock. Shelterbelts at the edge of pastures, near feedlots, and near dairy, hog and poultry facilities protect herds from the stressful effects of winter winds and snow. When planted as shelterbelts, trees can reduce wind velocity, greatly diminishing the effect of cold temperatures on livestock. This can significantly lower stress on animals and, consequently, reduce feed energy requirements. The benefits to livestock producers and ranchers include better animal health, lower feed costs, and greater financial gain. During the summer months, trees can reduce livestock stress by providing cool shade and protection from hot winds. The benefits to the landowner will last throughout the life of the shelterbelt. Planting shelterbelts for livestock produces the following benefits:
Summer ProtectionA properly designed shelterbelt will provide shade and allow summer winds to circulate in the pasture or feedlot area reducing stress to animals. The north and west sides of a shelterbelt should provide the most protection when prevailing winds are from that direction. Leaving the south and east sides relatively open will encourage air flow and cut down on heat stress. Livestock prefer shade in the summer. Grazing in forested areas will lead to the eventual decline of the tree stand. Livestock trample tree roots and kill young seedlings, creating soil compaction and a decrease in available moisture for roots. It is important to fence off trees from livestock and grassed areas. A mixture of fast and slow growing trees planted throughout the pasture and fenced off with cattle guards will offer shade and protection. Hay and pasture yields will increase with the addition of shelterbelts. Water loss by evaporation is decreased with added protection from drying winds. Shelterbelts will also protect plants from physical injury. Young alfalfa plants have a very low tolerance to wind and wind-blown soil. A 20 per cent increase in yields for alfalfa can be expected with the use of shelterbelts. An added benefit is the increase of available moisture with increased snow trapping. Winter ProtectionThe amount of feed required to maintain body temperature in livestock is reduced when the animals are protected by shelterbelts. Livestock are less efficient at converting feed into energy (gain) under prolonged exposure to cold. When the air temperature falls below an animal's comfort zone, the animal must expend energy to keep warm. The generation of heat during periods of cold stress does not cause major increases in feed requirements for cattle, but it does reduce the rate of weight gain. Changes in temperature will produce irregular feeding patterns in livestock and cause them to be more susceptible to diseases and other heath problems. Producers believe that cattle provided with protection spend more time eating and less time huddled up for warmth. Therefore, cattle can gain more weight per unit of feed. Canadian researchers have determined that beef cattle on winter range, in unprotected sites, require 50 per cent more feed for regular activities. Beef cattle are not the only livestock that benefit from the protection of tree windbreaks. Milk production in dairy cows declines under windy conditions below two degrees Celsius. While cattle and sheep are naturally adapted to cold climates (heavy winter coats), swine are subject to serious temperature stress. Shelterbelts provide significant benefits to producers in the form of reduced feed requirements, increased weight gains, and improved animal health. Also, shelterbelts reduce the amount of energy required to heat confinement buildings. Optimum snow control allows easy access to animals, buildings, and feed storage facilities during the winter months. A properly designed shelterbelt will collect snow in low-use areas and keep it out of high-use areas. This saves on the amount of labour and expense required for snow removal and livestock feeding. Other BenefitsA shelterbelt will improve the working environment around feedlots, barns and pastures. Working environments can be screened off from the home and road with shelterbelts. Disorderly areas can be made less noticeable with the use of trees. Trees filter dust from tillage operations or roads, and buffer traffic or machinery noise. Shelterbelts also provide essential habitat for wildlife. Many species of birds and animals will benefit from the added protection trees provide. By planting a variety of tree and fruit-bearing shrubs, a diversity of wildlife will be attracted to the farm or ranch. |
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