Grazing animal yields are directly related to the forage the animals can eat.
Farmers are trying to optimize the number of bites and steps an animal takes to get full. Fewer bites and fewer steps means bigger animals.
Which means farmers are generally focused on how good their grass is. This leads to a focus on soil health, rotational grazing, pushing out less productive plants, etc.
The concern around grazing animals and solar is from whether solar will impact grass growth which will in turn impact the animals’ growth.
Which it doesn’t.
Shade can impact grass growth. Grass doesnt grow as effectively under heavy canopy. But it’s generally the fallen leaves that actually kill off grass.
It seems that solar panels do not block enough light to have any impact on grass growth.
Comments
Grazing animal yields are directly related to the forage the animals can eat.
Farmers are trying to optimize the number of bites and steps an animal takes to get full. Fewer bites and fewer steps means bigger animals.
Which means farmers are generally focused on how good their grass is. This leads to a focus on soil health, rotational grazing, pushing out less productive plants, etc.
The concern around grazing animals and solar is from whether solar will impact grass growth which will in turn impact the animals’ growth.
Which it doesn’t.
Shade can impact grass growth. Grass doesnt grow as effectively under heavy canopy. But it’s generally the fallen leaves that actually kill off grass.
It seems that solar panels do not block enough light to have any impact on grass growth.
Good, because my understanding that putting huge solar farms on acres of land is the most effective and harmless way to use solar is unchanged.