Livestock
Trees as a lever of autonomy through their outputs
Rising temperatures, animal welfare, drought… In the face of today's challenges, livestock farming must evolve towards a resilient production model. MyTree positions itself as an agroforestry player by strategically planting trees in pastures, thus addressing these issues by combining performance, production diversity, and sustainability.
Trees for animal welfare
Subject to climatic hazards, animals devote a large part of their energy to regulating their internal temperature, resulting in a decrease in the quality and quantity of their milk or meat production. Thanks to their “parasol effect,” trees contribute to animal welfare by providing shade, a mild microclimate, and protection from the elements. This protection is also beneficial to poultry against birds of prey. Indeed, poultry farmers who are aware of animal welfare issues have observed a clear reduction in stress on their farms under tree cover.
4°C cooler
on hot days thanks to hedgerows ¹
100 cubic meters of woody
fodder equals 10 tons of hay, saving around €1500 ²
Trees as a source of woody forage
While the grass near trees is richer and greener, pastures still struggle to meet the nutritional needs of livestock during drought periods. Tree-based forage, made from branches and leaves, is a solution to this lack of grass. This is why the introduction of nutrient-rich trees is beneficial for livestock farming. In fact, ash and mulberry provide more nutrients than traditional forage crops. Using woody resources also helps preserve forage stocks for the following winter.
Trees, powerful nitrate filters
Nitrates from livestock effluent are a source of pollution for watercourses, disrupting both biodiversity and water quality. This health and agricultural issue can be mitigated by dense hedgerows, especially in lower parts of watersheds. The roots, aided by microorganisms in the soil, act as a safety net. They intercept and recycle nitrates that are useful for plant growth. This purification process reduces nitrate flux by a factor of 4!
5 to 10% of nitrate flux
is reduced by a hedgerow at the watershed level ³
30% straw savings ⁴
Trees, recoverable as bedding wood
Planting hedgerows for wood use proves to be an alternative to straw and offers several advantages: it is economical, local, and a source of autonomy for the farmer. Absorbent and draining, wood chips are optimal for animal comfort, and the bedding is less dirty and less odorous compared to traditional straw bedding.
