Discussion
Cattle grazed underneath the electric fence about 0.4 m; consequently, graz-
ing near the seedlings was eliminated from the ungrazed treatment while
cattle completely grazed around the young pine seedlings underneath the
single-wire limited grazing treatment. Also, trampling of the young seedlings
was prevented by the electric wire directly over the tree row. Cattle always
faced the wire while grazing underneath it and never backed up to or got
their feet close to the wire.
These results show that cool-season, tame-pasture grazing using a
controlled grazing system is not detrimental to pine seedling regeneration
during the early years with limited grazing where an electric fence is located
directly above the seedling rows. Furthermore, some tree growth advantages
may be realized with this agroforestry practice. Similar to results shown bet-
ween Monterey pine seedlings and ryegrass in New Zealand [4], subclover or
other forage vegetation competition with the young pine seedlings may be
reduced where the cattle graze under the wire and around the seedlings.
Even with unrestricted grazing of the young pine seedlings, browsing and
trampling injury was not excessive and may be acceptable to the practical
forester or agroforestry practitioner. However, caution must be exercised
and seedling injury must be carefully monitored if cattle graze pine regenera-
tion unrestricted in tame pastures when the pines are first planted.