The Graziers Grapevine

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Latest episode

Jul 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Grazing education and mentorship for Pennsylvania.

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10 recent

July 24, 20261 hr 11 min

Episode 46: Grazing Summer Annuals with Kelly Mercier

In this episode, Cheryl Burns speaks with USDA-NRCS Grazing Specialist, Dr. Kelly Mercier, about grazing summer annuals. Helpful references mentioned in this episode include: The Great Debate of Annual vs. Perennial Forages University of Kentucky Extension publication written on a research study evaluating grazed organic summer annuals compared to a perennial pasture control. https://publications.mgcafe.uky.edu/sites/publications.ca.uky.edu/files/ID-277-The-Great-Debate-of-Annual-vs-Perennial-Forages–Remediated.pdf Economic Analysis of Stockers Grazing Botanically Diverse Summer Annual Pasture Steers grazing over-mature summer annuals lost weight Steers grazing 12-species summer annual mixtures gained less weight than those grazing monocultures or 3-species mixtures. https://commons.joe.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3951&context=joe Is There an Economic Advantage to Planting Diverse Summer Annual Forage Mixtures? Grazing summer annuals was cheaper than haying. Summer annuals were more expensive than purchasing hay. N increased yield, but high N costs weren’t recouped by the increase in yield. https://commons.joe.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1291&context=joe Custom Machinery Rates Applicable to Kentucky (2024) A good resource to give estimates of what custom machinery rates are. https://agecon.mgcafe.uky.edu/sites/agecon.ca.uky.edu/files/CustomMachineryRatesApplicableKentucky%282024%29.pdf?_gl=1*9hgs1p*_ga*NTIxOTk1NjYyLjE3NzE4NjI1NjM.*_ga_Z0F2747JGH*czE3ODMwMTU5MjckbzYkZzAkdDE3ODMwMTU5MjckajYwJGwwJGgw In addition, here are a few general references: Video; Sjoerd Duiker, PSU Ext: Beating the Summer Slump on Dairy Farms with No-Till Annuals Extension Article from 1996: Summer-Annual Grasses for Supplemental or Emergency Forage Extension Article from 2026: Alternative Forages for Spring and Summer Planting Lancaster Farming article, 2026: Extend Grazing Season With Summer Annual Forage Types

March 24, 202650 min

Episode 45: Solar Grazing with Caroline Owens

In this episode, Cheryl Burns speaks with Caroline Owens, who with her husband Dave owns Owens Farm in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Caroline is the Certification Director for the American Solar Grazing Association and grazes sheep on three solar sites in central Pennsylvania. Important references from this episode include: American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) USDA-NRCS, Pennsylvania Grazing Lands Additional information about solar grazing in Pennsylvania can be found through Penn State Extension, including the following publication: Sheep Grazing to Maintain Solar Energy Sites in Pennsylvania Also available as a PDF

December 8, 202556 min

Episode 44: Nutritional Deficiencies with Dr. Robert Van Saun

In this episode, host Cheryl Burns speaks with Dr. Robert Van Saun, Extension Veterinarian and Professor of Veterinary Science at Penn State University. The focus of this episode is on nutritional deficiencies and issues graziers may experience. Dr. Robert Van Saun’s Extension Directory Page

December 1, 2025

Episode 43: Soil Health with Lisa Blazure

In this episode, Cheryl Burns speaks with PA Soil Health Coalition Coordinator, Lisa Blazure, about the importance of soil health in grazing systems. Key links referenced during this episode include: PA Soil Health Coalition Stroud Water Research Center Bionutrient Institute

September 25, 202539 min

Episode 42: Behind the Scenes for the Southwest Project Grass 45th Anniversary Conference

In this episode, host Cheryl Burns, speaks with Jason McGinnis, chair of Southwest Project Grass about the upcoming 45th Anniversary Conference. To learn more about the conference, visit: https://www.swprojectgrass.com/index.html

July 21, 202556 min

Episode 41: Learning to Graze; Apprenticeship and Mentoring Programs

In this episode of the Graziers Grapevine, Cheryl Burns is joined by co-host, Jenn Colby, host of the Choosing to Farm podcast , to speak with two individuals participating in apprenticeship and mentoring programs. This collaboration was made possible through the support of the National Grazing Lands Coalition and the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service . To learn more about the PA GLC mentorship program or the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program, visit the links below: PA GLC Mentorship Program Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (National) Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, DGA program (Pennsylvania)

March 10, 20251 hr 28 min

Episode 40: Allegheny Grass-Fed Cooperative

In this episode, host Cheryl Burns speaks with A.J. O’Neil and Ron Kreiss about the journey of Allegheny Grass-Fed Cooperative from an initial concept through today. To learn more about Allegheny Grass-Fed, visit: https://www.alleghenygrassfed.coop/

January 30, 202559 min

Episode 39: Adaptations to Work Smarter with Lori Witmer

The infrastructure and mechanics of farming and grazing are designed for function not necessarily ease of use, especially not for use by a variety of bodies and abilities. In this episode, Cheryl Burns talks with Lori Witmer of Natures Nook Farm in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, about several adaptations she and her family have made to reduce the impact on their bodies.

January 17, 202532 min

Episode 38: PA GLC, a Thirty Year Retrospective

In 2025 the PA Grazing Lands Coalition will celebrate thirty years of service to graziers through Pennsylvania. This episode kicks off the celebration by taking a look at how it started, impacts within the state and throughout the nation, and perhaps begin the discussion about how to best serve graziers in the future. In this epsiode, host Cheryl Burns speaks with PA GLC Chair, Cliff Hawbaker (Franklin County, PA); former Chair and retired PA GLC Board Member, Tom Calvert (Somerset County, PA); PA GLC Board Member, Titus Martin (Franklin County); and National GLC’s Director of Education & Planning, Kimberli Stine (Nebraska). PA GLC board members, Cliff Hawbaker and Tom Calvert, learning about bison grazing at a pasture walk in 2024.

September 18, 202415 min

Episode 37: Ag Progress Days Demonstration

Graziers Grapevine host, Cheryl Burns, visited Penn State’s Ag Progress Days in August and participated in the grazing demonstrations hosted by USDA-NRCS, including Managing Equine Pastures and Dry Lots and Managing Livestock Pastures with Alternative Forages. This episode features discussion with USDA-NRCS Grazing Specialist, Geri Montgomery; USDA-NRCS Grazing & Equine Specialist, Suzette Truax; USDA-NRCS District Conservationist, Damian Painter; USDA-NRCS Grazing Specialist, Titus Martin; USDA-NRCS State Grazing Specialist, Brian Campbell; and two graziers, Lisa Nicarry from Berks County and Les Vough of York County.

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