The last mowing of the grass will soon be taken.

9/17/2026

Good yields in grain crops show many new clover-grass sown fields, where there is not a sufficient plant density of clover and grasses. Therefore, it can now be considered whether an older grass field can be left for another year. If there are fallow fields in 2026 that can be used as clover-grass fields in 2027, it is advisable to use these fields for fodder production with the new nitrogen regulation in 2027. There is a small nitrogen emission from a clover-grass field with an expected low yield. Clover-grass fields are the engine of organic farming, and therefore good clover-grass fields are crucial for good fodder production and crop rotation value for subsequent cereal crops. A grass field without clover has almost no crop rotation value compared to a dense and uniform clover-grass field. Before the last harvest, it is a good time to inspect all the clover-grass fields and decide which fields can produce good yields in 2027. We have seen significant drought damage in drained grass fields in 2026. A clover-grass field should now be in good growth after the last three weeks of rain, and the clover-grass field should be assessed very critically. If there are areas without clover, the yield and quality in 2027 will be too poor. Conditions for a grass field to be left for another year are: There must be a dense and uniform stand of clover and grasses. There must not be a large weed pressure from couch grass, creeping thistle, and dandelions. There must be no pests in the field, e.g., flea beetle larvae or chafer larvae. Flea beetle larvae can be seen in older grass fields on sandy soil. Fields that are to be left with clover-grass for one more year should be even and free of deep tractor tracks from manure and haulage wagons. If the reaction numbers are low, liming or soil sampling can be done this fall. If the cow count is very low, a harsh winter will damage the clover. It is recommended to measure yields at all cuts in each individual grass field. If reliable yield measurements are available from the machine station, it is advisable to review what was harvested in 2026 and then walk through the clover-grass field – this is important to ensure sufficient roughage for the herd in 2027. With low levels of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, and lime, there is a greater risk that the clover will die off than with optimal fertilization levels. For winter preparation, grazing fields with patches of dead grass can be advantageously mowed to a stubble height of 6-7 cm as soon as possible. Afterward, they can be grazed until November 1. Winter preparation of the cut fields that need to survive the winter and produce a high yield in 2027 begins with not harvesting too late, as the grass needs a growth period before the risk of severe frosts in November. Our experience is that the last cut is around October 1. A grass field that goes into winter with a cover of about 10 cm will start growing faster in spring than a field cut late in November.

Good yields in cereals we see many new clover-grass sown fields, where there is not a sufficient plant density of clover and grasses. Therefore, it can now be considered whether an older grass field can remain for another year. If there are any fallow fields in 2026 that can be used as clover-grass fields in 2027, it is advisable to use these fields for fodder production with the new nitrogen regulation in 2027.

There is a small nitrogen leaching from a clover-grass field with an expected low yield.

The clover-grass fields are the engine of organic farming, and therefore good clover-grass fields are crucial for good fodder production and crop rotation value for subsequent cereal crops.

A grass field without clover has almost no crop rotation value compared to a dense and uniform clover-grass field.

Before the last harvest, it is a good time to inspect all the clover-grass fields and decide which fields can produce good yields in 2027.

We have seen major drought damage in waterlogged grass fields in 2026. A clover-grass field should now be in good growth after the last three weeks of rain, and the clover-grass field should be assessed very critically. If there are areas without clover, the yield and quality in 2027 will be too poor.

Conditions for a grass field to remain for another year are:

There must be a dense and uniform stand of clover and grasses in the field.
There must not be a large weed pressure from couch grass, creeping thistle, and dandelions.
There must be no pests in the field, e.g., flea beetle larvae or leather beetle larvae. Flea beetle larvae can be seen in older grass fields on sandy soil.
Fields that are to stay for another year with clover-grass must be even and free of deep tractor tracks from manure and slurry carts.
If the reaction numbers are low, liming or soil sampling can be done this fall.
If the cow number is very low, a harsh winter will damage the clover.

It is recommended to conduct yield measurements at all cuts in each individual grass field.

If there are reliable yield measurements from the machine station, it is advisable to look at what was harvested in the field in 2026, and then take a walk in the clover-grass field – this is important to ensure sufficiently good forage for the herd in 2027.

With low levels of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, and lime, there may be a greater risk that the clover will die off than with optimal fertilization levels.

As winter preparation, grazing fields where there are now patches of dead grass can be advantageously mowed to a stubble height of 6-7 cm as soon as possible. Afterward, they can be grazed until November 1.

Winter preparation of the cut fields that need to survive the winter and produce a high yield in 2027 begins with not taking the last cut too late, as the grass needs a growth period before there is a risk of periods with hard frost in November. Our experience is that the last cut is taken around October 1. A grass field that goes into winter with a thatch about 10 cm high will start growing faster in spring than a grass field with a late cut in November.