UNHIDE Agroforestry - A Knowledge Exchange Latvia- Sweden 2023-25 - Report - Page 13
“Thanks to the weeds and herbs introduced
through grazing, the soil recovered. Now I have
earthworms in the soil — next year there will be
dandelions. With the mixed forest and the presence of cows, birds have returned. The dung
attracts flies, which in turn attract birds that are
present when the spruce bark beetles swarm.”
Improved soil flora and increased diversity also
benefited wildlife. “With grazing, more nutritious
grasses establish within a few years. When there
is more grass in the forest, wildlife damage decreases. Deer and elk increasingly graze instead
of browsing young shoots.”
three years, grazing and trampling reduced the
cost of mechanical clearing by 90 euros per
hectare (contractor cost: 500 euros per hectare,
2024).
Anders favours linden, beech, oak, elm, cherry,
and spruce. Browsing acts as a form of selective
thinning, increasing growth rates. The cattle are
particularly effective at reducing saplings of rowan, aspen, alder, and maple. As Belted Galloway
cattle thrive on lean pasture, forest grazing also
reduces reliance on expensive silage. Additional
benefits include linden honey, increased berry
production, and high-quality locally produced
meat.
Another conclusion was economic: after only
The purpose of a thick
electric fence is for
wild animals to see it.
The cows respect the
fence as long as they
have pasture.
