Tree fodder in Romania

On 31 May 2016 AGFORWARD researcher, Dr Tibi Hartel, explained the importance of tree fodder to a party including HRH Prince of Wales during a visit to a traditional wood pasture near Zalánpatak in the Transylvania region of Romania.

Dr Hartel explained that scattered trees and shrubs on farmland can improve the resilience of farming communities. Trees and shrubs can provide wood, help regulate changes in climate, can help reduce soil erosion, maintain soil fertility, and provide keystone habitat structures for wildlife. Woody vegetation can also provide a food source for humans and a feed source for livestock. Despite this traditional knowledge types and skills related to wood pasture in Romania are declining. The reasons for this include the EU Common Agricultural Policy and national Romanian forestry regulations that either ignore or actively discourage the use of trees in farming. This can lead to the removal of trees and shrubs from farmland and the lack of coherent strategies for their regeneration.

Dr Hartel explains that one goal in his wood pasture work is to revive the knowledge and skills related to tree fodder – more specifically tree hay. Several historical documents as well as the vivid memories of elderly persons indicate that tree leaves can be used as fodder for livestock. The knowledge of this alternative resource and its rational use (e.g. while not damaging the trees) have helped local communities to overcome fodder shortages caused by drought.

At the meeting on 31 May 2016, Dr Hartel used the knowledge and inspiration of Mr. József Farkas (an 84 year-old, retired forester) to create some tree hay near Zalánpatak, a small village in the Eastern Carpathians in Romania. The trees used for this purpose were the grey willow, hornbeam, beech and oak. The activity was carried out in the presence of HRH Prince of Wales, Rory Stewart (a minister within the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), Patrick Holden (Founding Director of Sustainable Food Trust), Count Tibor Kálnoky, and local farmers with experience and knowledge on tree hay. Romanian academic institutions were represented by Dr. Tibor Hartel (Associate Professor at Sapientia University) and Dr. Kinga Réti (Lecturer and Vice Dean at Babeş Bolyai University)

More information: http://kv.sapientia.ro/hu/hirek/fas-legelot-latogatott-meg-erdelyben-charles-herceg-kozosen-dr-hartel-tiborral-a-sapientia-emte-docensevel