Combining pigs with forestry

A silvopastoral pig system in Ireland, which integrates trees, forage, and pigs, can provide a sustainable farming approach that supports ecological health, economic productivity, and animal welfare. Pigs, with their natural rooting and foraging behaviours, thrive in systems where trees offer shade in the summer and shelter in the winter. Research shows that pigs can reduce the need for mechanical soil aeration by naturally rooting and improving soil structure. A single sow can root up to 20 hectares of ground in a year if left unmanaged, underscoring the importance of rotational grazing. Managed effectively, pigs can stimulate nutrient cycling, as their dung contributes to organic matter and soil fertility, which can increase pasture productivity by 10–20% in rotational systems.