Grazing Cattle in Christmas Tree Plantations?

[Brett Chedzoy]

I've seen sheep carefully grazed in Christmas Tree plantations, but not cattle.  Anyone out there have any experience with this?  It’s been years since we’ve planted new conifers on the farm, so I can’t say that I have any first-hand experience with grazing in a true Christmas Tree plantation.  Our cattle frequent the older conifer plantations around the farm, and seem to like to take nibbles on the lower limbs of the various species.  But most of the time they just ignore the trees - except to rub on them when itchy.

My sense is that it could work, but would be a process of trial and error.  Lots of variables to consider: 

• Size and species - smaller trees are probably more susceptible, and firs would probably be more susceptible than spruces and pines
• Date - would avoid candle stage, and perhaps hot weather and late winter when the trees are going to be convenient scratching posts for cows bothered by flies and lice
• Duration and density of the grazing - flash graze to the extent possible < = 24 hour rotations
• Type of cattle  - would avoid bulls – but other individuals may also be problematic
• Diet  - quality & palatability of the grass, and ensure that the cattle are receiving a complete mineral supplement so that they aren’t craving browse to supplement deficiencies