Modeling the Financial Potential of Silvopasture Agroforestry in Eastern North Carolina and Northeastern Oregon

Silvopasture is the planned and managed agroecosystem in which forage, livestock, and woody perennials are integrated "either simultaneously or sequentially on the same parcel of land." Silvopasture can help mitigate anthropogenic climate change through carbon sequestration in perennial vegetation. We examined silvopasture, forest, and pasture systems in eastern North Carolina and northeastern Oregon. In North Carolina, we evaluated forest and agroforestry systems using loblolly and longleaf pine species. In Oregon, we evaluated forest and agroforestry systems using ponderosa pine. We based the analyses on typical forest and cattle regimes, including yields, costs, and prices obtained from the literature, and consulted with experts in the respective subjects. The financial viability of land management investments was investigated using capital budgeting techniques. Cash flows were developed using 4 percent and 6 percent real discount rates. Analysis suggests loblolly pine timber management and cattle management are more profitable than silvopasture management in eastern North Carolina. Additionally, cattle management is more profitable than silvopasture in northeastern Oregon. Longleaf pine and ponderosa pine are not profitable when solely managed for timber and can benefit financially when combined with livestock.