He Grazes Cows in the Woods - Here's How Silvopasture Actually Works | 216

If you've got woodland sitting on your farm, this episode is for you. Brett Chedzoy is a Cornell Extension Forester and grass-based cattle producer who has spent decades converting forest into productive silvopasture — and he breaks down exactly how to do it right. Brett runs over 100 cow-calf pairs at Angus Glen Farms in upstate New York and has been ranching in Argentina since the 1990s. His background spans forestry, farming, and a Peace Corps stint training gauchos — which gave him a pragmatic, boots-on-the-ground perspective on what actually works when you're managing trees and cattle together. In this conversation, we cover: How to evaluate your woodland using Brett's 10-question site assessment tool Why silvopasture extends your grazing season on both ends of the year The right way to hire loggers for thinning work (and why it's a different crew than timber harvest) How to find forestry help in your state — even in the Midwest and South The slow-and-steady approach vs. faster conversion methods Why starting small beats a 50-acre train wreck every time Whether you're in the wooded Northeast or just have a tree-covered corner of your operation you've never known what to do with, this episode will give you a real framework for getting started. Resources mentioned: Cornell Silvopasture resources — search "Cornell silvopasture" or visit forestconnect.info Brett's 10-question silvopasture site evaluation tool | https://bpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.c... National Agroforestry Center | https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/ University of Missouri silvopasture resources]