| About |
| These are fields that are mowed at least twice yearly, and generally have their first mowing prior to July 1st. Fields that are mowed at this frequency are generally being managed to produce hay or silage for livestock or as high-quality food plots for deer or turkeys. |
| Typical Plant Species |
- Red clover
- White clover
- Timothy grass
- Orchard grass
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| Typical Wildlife |
- Horned lark
- Vesper sparrow
- White-tailed deer
- Turkey
- Grouse
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| Benefits of Frequent Mowing |
- Produces high-quality (higher protein, more digestible) forage for livestock and/or deer
- Maintains clover and discourages the invasion of wildlflowers
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| Negatives of Frequent Mowing |
- Possibility that nests and young wildlife in the field will be injured or destroyed
- Reduced plant and insect diversity
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| Management Recommendations for Frequent Mowing |
Option 1: Delayed mow.
- Ideally, fields should not be mowed until after August 1, to allow all birds to fledge their young. If this is too late, a mow after July 4 will still allow some birds to be successful. In some cases fields need not be mowed annually, but will need to be mowed every 3-5 years to prevent intrusion by goldenrod and woody plants.
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Option 2: Early and late mow
- If conditions permit a harvest before the beginning of June, fields can be mowed at this time. The second mow must be at least 65 days later to allow birds to re-nest successfully.
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Option 3: Partial mow
- Identify areas with higher bird densities prior to harvest and do not mow these until late in the season. Under this option, try to minimize the amount of edge habitat created, which may attract predators.
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