Source: Landwirtschaftskammer OÖ
In just a few weeks, the time will come for the hopefully productive first harvest. The remaining time until then should be used to check the maintenance status of your grassland equipment. These are minor details, but if implemented consistently, this time will be well spent in many ways!
Ryegrass, cocksfoot and co. need to be cut
One disadvantage of modern rotary mowing technology is that blunt blades can be compensated for with sufficient power from the PTO. But only seemingly, because clean cutting requires sharp blades. And the grass needs this clean, smooth cut for rapid healing and regrowth. A pleasant side effect, with immediate financial benefits and emissions savings, is lower fuel consumption. Mowing is simply easier with a good blade! In times of high energy prices and climate change, this is another compelling argument for sharp blades.
Why is an adjusted cutting height so important?
Forage grasses store their reserve nutrients at the base of the stalk. If mowed too closely, both the "storage organs" and the urgently needed residual assimilation area are damaged. The plants urgently need this area after a cut to immediately resume photosynthesis and mass production. If it is harvested at the same time, regrowth is significantly delayed. Furthermore, forage quality suffers due to the increased crude fiber content at the base of the stalk.
Sufficient cutting height and clean cut © Landwirtschaftskammer Oberösterreich/Fritscher
At a cutting height of approximately 8 cm, measured in the stand, both the reserve nutrients and sufficient residual assimilation area are preserved. This also results in rapid regrowth.
Especially important in dry years
The past years, 2021 and 2020, were characterized by sufficient rainfall in many places. These were two recovery years for many grassland areas that had been severely affected by the previous dry years. Especially in dry years, it is all the more important to consistently implement simple things like cutting height and blade sharpness.
The result of too deep cutting and dryness © Landwirtschaftskammer Oberösterreich/Fritscher
These images speak for themselves. The result of insufficient cutting height combined with a dry period is that the grasses stop growing, leaving only a few herbs. Even if such areas regenerate after sufficient rainfall, lasting damage to the grassland remains.
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