By slicing through assimilating parts of a plant during forage harvesting, the plant is subjected to considerable injury. Through its wounds, the plant loses water containing dissolved nutrients.
The faster the cut heals, the lower the losses. The plant will soon be able to focus on growing and forming leaf mass again. Rapid growth of the crop after harvest lays the foundation for high annual yields per hectare.
Sharp mower blades deliver a smooth, straight cut that leads to rapid healing. Blunt blades, on the other hand, create a torn and frayed cut. Delayed healing and an enormous loss of nutrients are the result. Development into a crop with reasonable cover can take several days longer.1
The most decisive factor for rapid growth, however, is the balance between a sharp, smooth cut and the correct cutting height. For high-yield grassland, you need to aim for a cutting height between 6-8 cm. On the one hand, this leaves sufficient nutrients in the stalk base and, on the other hand, there is plenty of residual assimilation area for rapid growth.
1 Frühwirth, P. (2020): Der stille Schrei der Gräser. Landwirtschaftskammer Oberösterreich.