Shade that actually pays for itself—this conversation digs into how silvopasture blends trees, forage, and livestock to reduce heat stress, build healthier soils, and diversify income in grazing systems. With Oahu Livestock Extension Agent Yunuen Bustamante, we unpack the nuts and bolts: how to pick the right tree for your goal, how wide to space rows to protect forage, and what it takes to guard young plantings from goats, cattle, and poultry without breaking the budget.

We start with the why: in a warming climate, shade and windbreaks create a cooler microclimate that keeps animals grazing and lowers stress. Then we move to the how: selecting native species like milo, ulu, kukui, and hala for resilience, and layering in productive options such as citrus, cacao, or banana for extra revenue.

Yunuen also share about upcoming workshops, field days, and hands-on support so you can see silvopasture in action and tailor it to your site, herd, and rainfall. Ready to turn heat into an advantage and make your pasture do more? Subscribe, share this episode with a fellow producer, and leave a review to help more graziers find these tools.

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A fast January briefing on what matters now: PQA training in Honolulu, Nebraska land lease workshops, a weaned calf risk webinar, and a preview of silvopasture with our Oahu livestock agent. We share links, dates, and how each step builds animal care, market trust, and resilience.

• PQA training on Oahu with date, time, and location
• why pork quality assurance strengthens consumer trust and market access
• Nebraska land lease workshops and what good clauses look like
• weaned calf risk protection webinar and core tools to manage price risk
• preview of silvopasture benefits and design considerations
• links, email, and social accounts for updates
• request for listener topic ideas and feedback

Resource Links:

• Pork Quality Assurance Training - January 23, 2026 - Oahu Island
• Center for Ag Profitability - University of Nebraska

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We talk with Franny Brewer of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee about how prevention, early detection, and community reporting protect Hawaii’s farms, forests, and neighborhoods. From port monitoring to nematode injections, we map the tools anyone can use to slow the spread.

• Role of BIISC across prevention, detection, response, and education
• Port monitoring for CRB, RIFA, mosquitoes, and Japanese beetle
• Early detection using iNaturalist and formal plant ID
• Prioritizing threats with Hawaii Pacific Weed Risk Assessment
• Widespread pests education via Hawaii Ant Lab methods
• Two line spittle bug impacts on pasture and spread
• Queensland longhorn beetle damage to kukui, cacao, ulu, citrus
• Nematode trunk injections as a targeted control
• Devil weed toxicity to cattle and pasture takeover risk
• Outreach in communities and training for frontline workers
• Choosing non-invasive plants with PlantPono.org
• How to report sightings with clear photos and samples

Links: https://www.biisc.org/

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