Formosa Estate virtual reality video - Shelterbelts increase pasture growth
Posted 23 June 2022
Forest Learning has released a series of agroforestry virtual reality videos including a case study of Formosa Estate that was part of the Agroforestry project ran by PFT in collaboration with CSIRO and UTAS.
The video shows the research scientists have conducted and the results shelter belts have had on pasture growth through wind reduction.
In 2016, PFT launched the Agroforestry project in collaboration with CSIRO and UTas to demonstrate the benefits of trees in the agricultural landscape.
Equipment was installed at Formosa Estate situated in the north of the state at Cressy, to measure soil and atmospheric variables from forests to open fields measuring crop growth and animal movement in relation to shelterbelts established in 2001.
The paddock was grazed to a uniform starting point and stock excluded with the pasture being allowed to grow for around 7 weeks until early October 2017. Pasture biomass was measured and a total of 7 transects were established across the paddock with an automatic weather station to continuously monitor wind direction and speed. The shelterbelt was close to perpendicular to the bulk of the wind and reduced wind speed on average by around 50% over the sheltered half of the paddock.
In the spring of 2017, Formosa Estates pasture production was on average 30% higher in the sheltered half of the paddock compared to the unsheltered half.
A Pinus radiata shelterbelt on approximately 1ha (4%) of the paddock but induced a 15% increase in pasture growth over the remaining 24ha and effectively increased the pasture production to the equivalence of a 29ha paddock.
The study concluded that the impact of shelter on the gross margin was likely to be around $63/ha, or $1,500 in total across the paddock.
In addition to increased pasture production, shelter can also increase stock survival, provide carbon offsets and financial benefits at the time of harvest.
CLICK HERE to view Forest Learning Video (Click on the video and move your mouse to experience the full 360 degree view)
CLICK HERE to view Case Study 05 – Formosa, Shelter increased pasture production by 30%
CLICK HERE to view Case Study 04 – Formosa, Agroforestry improves enterprise income
CLICK HERE to view all Case Studies listed under our Publications tab.
Share this Article
Latest Articles
-
13 May 2024
Shelterbelts: How are they contributing to farm systems?
-
13 May 2024
Infill plantings and remnant vegetation: Why biodiversity depends on a thriving understory
-
02 May 2024
Exciting interactive forestry hub launched
Archives
- The carbon market: Opportunities and challenges for Tasmanian farmers
- $100M Australian Forest and Wood Innovations to secure sustainable future for forestry
- Final Report now available: Assessing the efficiency of mechanised hardwood thinning operations and tree/stem quality features from machine studies and LiDAR technology
- Riparian plantings: Multiple benefits for farms and waterways
- FREE practical bushfire management for farmers and rural landholders
- Plantation Insurance for small-scale forest growers
- Education and hands-on training at Hagley Farm School
- Fire Prevention at Forest Operations Procedures updated with bushfire season commencing October 1.
- Call for expression of interest - Member, Private Forests Tasmania Board
- Invitation: Future proof your farm forum
- Midway: Carbon Project Agreement offering
- The Clark's plant 60,000 pines as part of a carbon farming project
- Support Plantation Establishment 2023-24 - Grant opportunity
- Consultation on proposed legislative changes
- Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) Weather App - Get the warning when it matters most
- Looking to establish new forestry plantations? REGISTER NOW for the Support Plantation Establishment Program
- Plantation thinning field day
- Hydrowood - an opportunity to invest in nature's hidden wealth
- FIFMC highlight their 2022/23 fire season efforts
- Tasmanian Timber Awards 2023
- Position Vacant - Business and Project Support Officer
- Plantation Thinning field day invitation (NW)
- Community Bushfire Ready Challenge launched - Sign up for the challenge
- Farm Forestry Carbon tool launch
- NatureTrackers: Where? Where? Wedgie?
- Aussie-Japan Agroforestry: Knowledge share & growth opportunities
- Formosa Estate virtual reality video - Shelterbelts increase pasture growth
- The Back Run, Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Site progress
- Advice for storm and gale force wind affected areas
- Private Forests Tasmania welcomes new director
- National Carbon Farming Conference, Albury
- PFT's new Corporate Plan released
- Report rubbish and the Litter and Dumping Management System for Land Managers
- Fire Prevention at Forest Operations Procedure update & subsidised fire training courses
- Tasmanian Forest Safety Code Review
- Planting trees for shelter, biodiversity and aesthetics,
- North-West farmer named Tasmanian Tree Farmer of the Year
- Be sure to have insurance cover for your trees
- Tasmanian Timber Awards 2021 run and won
- Tasmanian primary producers, environment and industry to benefit from trees on farms
- Why farmers should plant trees now, and manage them for the mass timber buildings of the future
- Stephen Clarke can help you capitalise on the extensive benefits of trees
- Private Forests Tasmania welcomes Molly Marshall to our team
- Windbreaks and wildlife benefit better understood
- The effects of windbreaks on airflow, microclimates and crop yields
- Find out the socio-economic impacts of forestry
- The benefits of trees to reduce paddock water loss
- Modelling the costs and benefits of Agroforestry systems
- Market for Plantation Grown Wood: Where we're at and where we're going
- Rob Smith offers his expertise to advance Tasmania and help the planet at the same time
- Trees on farms to support natural capital: An evidence-based review for grazed dairy systems
- Understanding values behind farmer perceptions of trees on farms
- Economic Impact of Forestry in New Zealand - Te uru Rakau May 2020
- Farm-scale sediment sources: Tree harvesting, cattle and roads
- Improving durability to enhance the value of plantation, regrowth and regenerated Eucalyptus
- Biodiversity outcomes from eucalypt plantation expansion into agricultural landscapes of southern Australia
- Understand how trees improve the carbon balance - carbon investing improves your ROI from trees
- 10 per cent multipurpose tree cover for every farm: A low risk, high opportunity first step
