Master Quote: Ben Falk – 03/01/18

Photo source: https://greentriangle.org/2015/10/19/green-triangle-hosts-ben-falk-author-of-resilient-farm-and-homestead-this-week/
by Jeb Wallace-Brodeur.

"Most fields are actually very low in stem density, even when the sward might grow tall and look lush. Given that you want as much fodder as possible and organic matter production (root growth and dieback) as possible, you want stem density to be high with as little patchiness in the sward as possible. The ability of mowing to increase stem density and promote grasses while discouraging woodies, sedges, and ferns shouldn’t be surprising—just look at many poor soil fields, sometimes even very wet ones: If they are mowed very often, the stem density is high, and it’s almost all grass and clover. That’s a perfect jumping-off point to start grazing."

~Ben Falk

The Resilient Farm and Homestead: An Innovative Permaculture and Whole Systems Design Approach - 2013

Chapter 4: FERTILITY HARVESTING AND CYCLING

Subsection: The Benefits of Mowing