Integration of organic free range pigs with energy crops Valerio Bondesan April 2017 European Union’s Seventh Framework Program for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 613520

Organic free range pigs Organic free range pigs need specific soil, designed areas and expertise Pig welfare might be critical in some conditions (summer hot T°, dry-tough loamy soil, strong cold winter wind, . . . etc.) Sandy soil is less sludgy in the rainy season but manure nutrients leaching could be higher Deep rooting by not nose-ringed pigs (organic) damages crops and effects soil erosion negatively NO YES

Why planting trees in these areas ? Trees and bushes cover can: provide extensive shadow and temperature mitigation reduce discomfort of winter strong cold wind - provide a “more attractive” environment for pigs facilitate a better absorption of manure nutrients with wide and deep roots diversify production and farm income from wood (like woodchips or primal logs)

Put together pigs & trees Starting from an existing trees’ plantation (poplar or trees-bushes) Using newly planted trees (poplar, or mixed with willow, blacklocust, . . etc.)

Concerns from stakeholder meetings About trees: - species: poplar, most in the plane (with deep and wet soil) - mix of poplar, willow and black locust - fruit trees (walnut or hazelnut, in the upland, . . . but more knowledge is needed) - spacing, density – number of trees per Ha, and harvesting turn (depends on wood utilization) - trees need protection from pig damages

Concerns from stakeholder meetings About pigs: more labour needed, complexity on handling pigs and machines usage - nutritional-dietetic value of fodder for monogastric is not clear meat and fat quality of heavy pigs may be affected harmful co-habitation with wild birds (attracted by trees) . . . potential diseases ?

Range areas bordered with poplars range areas (0.4-0.5 Ha) are bordered with poplars (3 m between the trees and approximately 20-24 m between the rows) stoking rate depends on organic standard and type-weight of pigs (about 7 farrowing sows and 13-20 growing-finishing heavy pigs) pigs rotating about every 1-2 months depending on soil condition, grass damages, etc. tree rows are protected by an electric fence poplars harvesting turn: 10-12 years

Low density poplars within the areas poplars are planted within the paddocks (spacing 4 x 20-25 m) paddocks are mainly used for farrowing sows and piglets bark biting, scratching and root damages are limited (increase with higher stoking) single trees could be protected with shelter at the beginning (till 3rd year) poplars provide sufficient shadow protection in the summer after 5-6 years poplars harvesting turn: 12-14 years

High density poplars within the areas poplars are planted within the paddocks (high density, spacing 1.5 x 3 m) paddoks are mainly used for growing and fattening pigs newly planted trees need shelter protection, and may start to be used by pigs from the 2nd year good shadow and wind protection since the 3rd year but poor grass production harvesting turn for woodchip: 4-6 years (to be defined depending on the trees growth) small trees could be harvested by farmers and chipped with small machine (renting)

Shelter effectiveness on trees protection there is no specific shelter tested to resist against pigs on a daily interaction pigs are “curious” and like to explore and play with the nose, pull-off or biting shelters shelters made with a plastic double alveolar polypropylene structure or similar show a limited resistance and effectiveness compared with net metal cage damages (% of trees lost) are mainly correlated with stoking rate, feed restriction (during fattening period) and pigs weight

Harvesting and wood quality harvesting of big size poplar (10-12 years) needs specialized equipments and labour expertise for a limited number of trees (as in the case of pigs free range areas) the cost/tree is higher compared with intensive poplar production log primal cuts may be used for industrial packaging production second quality trees and rows are used for woodchips (with better utilization at farm level as firewood)

Recommendations Design the range areas considering stoking, pig categories, type of soil and trees species Higher density fast growth trees is suggested for growing-finishing pigs while using sandy-like soil to prevent nutrient leaching Protect young trees with proper shelters for the first 2-3 years Reconsider heating system for on farm harvesting and direct utilisation of woodchips

Conclusions Pigs and poplars seem to be a very promising combination More experience is needed to assess other trees species Agroforestry pork products could be better accepted by consumers

European Union’s Seventh Framework Program for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 613520 www.agforward.eu