216 | Brett Chedzoy, New York | How to Turn Existing Woodland into Productive Grazing

216 | Brett Chedzoy, New York | How to Turn Existing Woodland into Productive Grazing

Author: Grazing Grass March 25, 2026 Duration: 1:21:28

Brett Chedzoy is a Cornell Extension Forester and co-operator of Angus Glen Farms in upstate New York, where he and his wife Maria graze over 100 cow-calf pairs across 600 acres with much of it wooded. He's also been ranching in central Argentina since the mid-1990s, where he first discovered his love for cattle after heading there as a Peace Corps volunteer fresh out of graduate school.

In this episode, Brett breaks down silvopasture and how to evaluate existing woodland and open it up for productive grazing. He explains why thinning your woods isn't just about letting in light, it's about protecting the long-term value of your timber while growing more forage.


Topics covered:

  • Brett's background: Kansas wheat farming roots, a Welsh sheep-herding grandfather, Peace Corps in Argentina, and what the gauchos taught him about the difference between working hard and working smart
  • What silvopasture looks like in the forested Northeast vs. the savanna-style systems common in other regions
  • Why cool-season forages like orchardgrass can actually thrive in light shade and how silvopasture extends your grazing season on both ends
  • The 10-question site evaluation tool Brett developed to assess whether a piece of woodland is a good silvopasture candidate
  • How to find the right logging crew for silvopasture thinning (hint: it's a very different operation than high-value timber harvest)
  • The forester vs. farmer timescale problem and how to find the middle ground
  • Who to call first: land grant extension, state forestry agencies, and your local soil and water conservation district
  • Why Brett recommends starting small and getting your first experience before tackling a 50-acre project

Resources mentioned:



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There’s a quiet revolution happening in the fields and pastures, one that ties the health of the soil directly to the health of a farm’s bottom line. Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming is a part of that conversation, sitting down with the men and women who are putting regenerative principles into daily practice. Hosted by Grazing Grass, each episode feels like a candid chat across a fence line, moving beyond theory into the tangible details of managing livestock on grass. You’ll hear farmers recount their own journeys-what prompted their shift in thinking, the logistical hurdles of changing their operation, and the outcomes they’ve witnessed in their land and ledger books. A recurring segment called "Over Grazing" digs into the specific problems and hard-won lessons that come with this way of farming. This isn’t just a science or nature podcast; it’s a practical resource built on shared experience, aiming to strengthen a community where knowledge about profitable, grass-based systems is passed along openly. Tune in for honest stories that get to the root of what it means to work with the land.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Grazing Grass Podcast | Rotational Grazing, Soil Health & Profitable Livestock Farming
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