The implementation of agroforestry systems is aided by tools which evaluate economic viability of the proposed system. We developed a spatial analysis approach for landowners and managers to determine the suitability of locations in east Texas for agroforestry systems such as silvopasture. Silvopasture is the intentional management of trees, forage, and livestock on the same land unit. We used varying estimates of distance from market for each of the relevant product categories along with a range of typical values and transportation costs to determine the likelihood that silvopasture would be an economically viable land use under varying market conditions. Timber products include biomass, pulpwood, sawtimber, and pole products. Cattle feedlots and slaughterhouses were considered for livestock production. Market locations were obtained from various online databases, and were mapped using ArcGIS 10.1. Distance to market was bounded using a driven-miles algorithm based on network analysis, and areas with multiple overlapping markets suitable to silvopasture were identified. Results in the form of maps predicated on varying economic assumptions will be presented, and will be made available online to increase landowner awareness of their economic options regarding the practice of agroforestry in east Texas.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.