Bannister and CSTAF assistant Kiara Winans-Pywell visited three landowners who indicated they used silvopasture—the intentional combination of trees, forage plants and livestock in an integrated and intensively managed system.

With these visits, Bannister began the process of identifying landowners whose properties could serve as demonstration units. 

Commercial hunting adds value to forests for this Lake City rancher.

The initial visits showed considerable variation in practices, with commercial hunting, reduction in fuel load, and forage production among the benefits.

A 1,200-acre farm near St. Cloud provides grazing for 250 cattle on portions that are improved pasture. Cattle graze on the Pensacola Bahiagrass between the rows of pines as well as on the improved pastures.

In the Lake City area, a 100-acre property is planted in slash pine and is used primarily for commercial hunting. Bahiagrass and gall berry grow in the slash pine and attract wildlife. When hunting is not in season, cows and goats graze the land. Livestock grazing reduces the fuel load and the risk of fire. The owner plans to harvest the pines.

Cattle graze under slash pine near Osteen.

A landowner near Osteen has 3,000 acres of slash pine where cattle graze. The pine is dense, and the landowner plans to thin the trees and sell them for pulp when the price is higher. Cattle grazing is considered important in reducing the fuel load.