282: Charles Rohla - Silvopasture Expained
Charles Rohla, a senior regenerative ranching advisor at Noble Research Institute, reveals that silvopasture isn't just grazing under trees—it's a high-yield, dual-income system where pecans and cattle thrive together. Contrary to the assumption that trees shade out grass, properly thinned pecan orchards with 50% canopy cover actually boost forage production and cattle gains by creating a cooler, more resilient microclimate. Remarkably, Noble’s 19-year study found that integrating cattle under pecan trees generated higher annual profits than either enterprise alone, even during low pecan or low cattle market years—proving that diversification isn’t just ecological wisdom, it’s economic insurance. Rohla debunks myths about soil compaction and manure concentration, emphasizing that adaptive grazing and phased tree thinning prevent problems. He also stresses that silvopasture is a long-term play—trees take 5–7 years to mature—but the payoff includes soil health, wildlife habitat, and a 10–20x increase in sunlight capture per acre. For ranchers, the real value isn’t just in new income streams, but in transforming underutilized timberland into productive, resilient land without buying new property.
Silvopasture with 50% canopy cover increases forage production and cattle daily gain by creating a cooler, less-stressed microclimate under trees.
Noble’s 19-year study shows integrating cattle under pecan trees generates higher annual profit than either enterprise alone, providing risk mitigation across market cycles.
Thinning trees to 50% canopy cover boosts pecan production—some cases saw doubled or tripled yields after removing 75% of trees.
Properly managed silvopasture reduces soil compaction and manure concentration, especially when using adaptive grazing and rotational systems.
Establishing silvopasture requires a 3–5 year phased approach to avoid tree loss from root system shock and to prevent invasive species from taking over.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to Ranching Returns: The Promise of Silvopasture
The podcast introduces its mission: redefining ranching as a return not just to profit, but to land and lifestyle. The episode is sponsored by Feral Cattle Company and features Charles Rohla, a silvopasture expert from Noble Research Institute.
Charles Rohla’s Journey: From Family Ranch to Regenerative Research
Rohla shares his background growing up on a backgrounding operation in Oklahoma, his academic path in animal science and crop science, and his 20-year career at Noble Research Institute, where he now teaches regenerative ranching and silvopasture.
What Is Silvopasture? Beyond Just Grazing in the Woods
Rohla defines silvopasture as a managed system integrating trees and pasture, not just letting cattle roam in woods. He emphasizes that it’s a two-story system where both trees and livestock generate income, with a long history in Europe and Asia.
Starting Silvopasture: Thinning Trees for Sunlight and Grass
The easiest way to start silvopasture is thinning existing trees to achieve 50% canopy cover, allowing sunlight to reach the soil. This improves both tree productivity and grass growth, contrary to the assumption that trees block all light.
The Surprising Truth: Fewer Trees, More Pecan Production
“We've actually seen cases where we've taken out 75% of the trees and actually increased our production, doubled or tripled our production in some instances.”
“And so we actually see, we've actually seen cases where we've taken out 75 of the trees and actually increased our production, doubled or tripled our production in some instances.”
“But don't get honed in on collecting so much data that you miss opportunities. As a researcher, we're very guilty about trying to collect every little thing that we can. But if I'm never going to use it... Why am I collecting it?”
“Every year in 19 years. Yeah. Okay. And do you have data on like the increased production in terms of gains on cattle when they have shade versus straight pasture or forage production in these systems? I don't have great data.”
Host
Guest
Noble Research Institute
organization
Charles Rohla
person
Ambrook
organization
Redmond Agriculture
organization
Feral Cattle Company
organization
FSMA
organization
Gabe Brown
person
Nicole Masters
person
Elaine Ingram
person
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