Fodder trees for micronutrient supply in grass-based dairy systems - Multiple advantages for biodiversity and animal welfare

Why plant trees?

Currently, Dutch dairy farms usually feed their cattle with a combination of spring/summer grazing and imported maize silage and/or concentrates. Incorporating fodder trees in dairy farms can be a good alternative option to maize silage and concentrates, and for supplementing cows with macro and micro elements. In this leaflet, focus is placed on selenium, as it has been found to be lacking in the diet of grass-fed ruminants in the Netherlands.