A New York farm is proving that trees and cattle can thrive together. According to Spectrum News, Brett Chedzoy’s Angus Glen farm uses silvopasture — a blend of managed forest and grazing land — to raise cattle on 500 acres near Watkins Glen.
Chedzoy, a forester by training, thins low-value trees to let sunlight reach the soil, improving forage growth for his herd. The method not only keeps cattle cooler in summer but also reduces maintenance and feed costs. Conservation techniques like rotational grazing and “bale grazing” in winter protect the land and nearby Seneca Lake.
Silvopasture could offer an affordable path for young or new farmers, especially where wooded land is more accessible than fertile fields. Chedzoy’s success shows how sustainable practices might scale New York’s modest beef industry.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].