Herbage and sheep production from simple, diverse, and legume pastures established in an agrivoltaic production system

Abstract

AbstractAgrivoltaic systems combine solar energy and agriculture, promoting dual land use. Although grazing sheep in these systems is common, research on intentionally designed pastures to increase production is lacking. This study seeks to compare the herbage growth and lamb production in simple, diverse, and legume pastures in an agrivoltaic system over 2 years in Oregon. Annual herbage production in diverse pastures (4583 kg DM ha−1) was comparable to simple pastures (4457 kg DM ha−1), but higher than legume pastures (p < .05; 4023 kg DM ha−1) for the 2020/2021 growing season. In the 2021/2022 growing season, diverse pastures had a higher yield (4660 kg DM ha−1, p < .05) than simple pastures (4052 kg DM ha−1), which were similar to legume pastures (3955 kg DM ha−1). Liveweight gain (LWG; g head−1 d−1) tended (p = .06) to be higher from lambs in diverse and legume pastures compared to simple pastures in spring 2021. Liveweight production (LWP; kg ha−1 d−1) of legume pasture were greater (P < 0.05) than other pasture types, while simple pastures had the lowest LWP during this period. In summer 2021, LWG tended to be greater in lambs grazing diverse versus simple pastures. No difference was detected (all p > .05) in LWG or LWP at any grazing period in 2022. Overall, efficiency of pasture production was greatly reduced by lower light availability in all pasture types. Diversification of pastures using forbs in agrivoltaics was a good strategy for greater herbage production, while the legume pastures had poor persistence.