The Silva Circle
The Silvasheep model integrates livestock, farmers, landowners and local communities in a flexible network of cooperation in a values-based supply chain. A market-led approach with minimal input and waste is designed to create health and wealth for everyone through sustainable high quality food and associated agroforestry products.
A very natural model
In granting access for Silvasheep agroforestry development and grazing, a landowner receives an improvement of the land and the environment. This natural capital now realises its potential to provide ecosystem services in the form of carbon offset, clean air, improved soil health, biodiversity gain and reduced drought and flooding. The demand for ecosystem services is expected to grow considerably, therefore, the Silvasheep model offers an attractive commercially viable alternative to grazing rent arrangements.
The opportunities for farmers and landowners range from joint-venture diversification of existing operations, to new entrants.
Silvasheep sets out an easy to enter set of protocols for sheep farming in silvopastural and silvoarable systems that maximise all of the productive elements, from meat to wool to dairy, as well as tree-based products through a defined route to market for these products under a unified brand that champions local provenance and regenerative agricultural methods.
The flock
The central breeding objective of all Silvasheep flocks is to explore the development of an enhanced UK multi-purpose sheep breed designed for climate resilience and optimum efficiency in agroforestry systems (nutrition/environment virtuous circle).
Main characteristics will be good health, high milk quality and low greenhouse gas emissions. Selected sheep will be hardy to suit natural all year silvopasture and silvoarable grazing.
Central to the health and wellbeing of the sheep will be the agroforestry environment which will provide shade and shelter and more natural nutrition in browse and forage. Lambs will be kept with mothers for longer as research indicates this ensures the best possible start for strength and resilience which benefits the individual animal and future generations.
