Forage mass, accumulation, and nutritive value of four perennial forages grown in a loblolly pine silvopasture in the Mid-South United States

Authors: Nieman, Christine; PHILIPP, DIRK - University Of Arkansas; KUBESCH, JONATHAN - University Of Arkansas

Submitted to: Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/27/2026
Publication Date: 7/10/2026
Citation: Nieman, C.C., Philipp, D., Kubesch, J.O. 2026. Forage mass, accumulation, and nutritive value of four perennial forages grown in a loblolly pine silvopasture in the Mid-South United States. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70393.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70393

Interpretive Summary: Silvopasture systems include the intentional integration and management of trees, forage, and grazing livestock. Providing shade for grazing cattle is the main motivator for silvopasture adoption among cattle producers. Therefore, establishing forages in an existing pine plantation is of more interest than planting trees into a pasture. However, due to the complexity of silvopasture systems, forage species selection and establishment can be challenging for producers. The objective of this study was to evaluate 4 perennial forage species, novel-endophyte tall fescue, orchardgrass, alfalfa, and white clover planted in loblolly pine plantation for seasonal forage mass production and distribution, nutritional composition, and dry matter yield. In the establishment year, both tall fescue and white clover established more quickly than orchardgrass and alfalfa producing high quality biomass by July. While orchardgrass establishment required more time, by year 2, orchardgrass yields were greater or similar to tall fescue and white clover in Apr and May, while waterlogged soils prevented the establishment of alfalfa. In year 2 and 3 of the experiment, limited precipitation reduced production and forage nutritive value for all species. Although precipitation was low in July and October, likely the issues was exacerbated by competition for water with trees. Overall, as forage species differ in production and nutritive value seasonally and yearly, producers will need to consider how a forage species fit into their silvopasture system. In this study, tall fescue and white clover were productive at the end of year one, indicating a faster establishment rate, by year 2 orchardgrass, white clover, and tall fescue were productive in Apr and May, while yields declined in July and Oct in years 2 and 3. If seasonal precipitation trends remain similar to 2021 and 2022, cool season forages may only be consistently available in spring and early summer.

Technical Abstract: Establishing forage in loblolly pine plantations has potential to increase available grazing acreage for cattle farms in the mid-south, but appropriate species selection still requires investigation. The objective was to evaluate 4 perennial forage species, novel-endophyte tall fescue (TF), orchardgrass (OG), white clover (WC), and alfalfa (ALF) cultivated in loblolly pine silvopasture for seasonal forage mass production and distribution, nutritional composition, and cumulative dry matter yield. Forage species were tested in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, with four harvests per year (Apr, May, July, and Oct), for three years (2020-2022). Several 3-way interactions for species × month × year were significant, and variables were evaluated for species × month effects within each year. Likely due to waterlogging, ALF did not establish in any plots. In 2020, WC and TF forage mass increased by May and July, while OG forage mass did not increase until 2021. Forages were most productive in Apr and May, while limited precipitation reduced forage mass in July and Oct of 2021, and throughout 2022. Forages WC, TF, and OG, generally produced forage of >18% protein and < 50% NDF in Apr and May. Annual DM yields differed by species and year but ranged from 2250 to 4950 lb DM acre-1. Forage production from TF, WC, and OG was limited when precipitation was low in July and Oct, and at this site, grazing may be limited to spring and early summer.