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SE Wisconsin | To clip or not clip... that is the question?
Each year I do both to see if there is a difference. I cut half a paddock to see if the forage grows back differently. I would not say there is any real difference in forage regrowth. We have a lot of orchardgrass and when headed out it can iritate the eyes of cows or calves. they eat around it or avoid eating near those tall pieces of grass. I find they eat more evenly if we clip a pasture.
We mow pastures @ about 8-10 inches probably. It helps with thistle problems too. Mow them down before the head out and go to seed.
there is also something to be said for having an even height start for all the plants. they all have a chance to grow up and get some sunlight. Like others have said, we only cut pastures in June maybe the first week of july. After that we need the ground cover for sure to protect from the sun/heat.
My trials of doing this give mixed reviews each year. Sometimes the mowed pieces do better than the not mowed pieces... other years they are about the same. In the end, it is probably not worth the time, fuel or equipment expense... BUT my dad is retired and loves cutting grass so I send him out there as needed.
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Making the Cut: Pasture Shredding
