For most livestock farmers, the first cut is one of the most important jobs of the year.
A good first cut can save money all winter. A poor one can leave you feeding lower-quality silage, buying in more meal, and trying to make up for lost feed value months after the grass was cut
Get it right, and you give yourself the best chance of making high-quality silage with good feed value, strong energy levels and better winter performance from stock. Get it wrong, and you can end up with stemmy grass, poorer digestibility, lower intakes and more bought-in feed needed later in the year.
The weather will always have the final say, but good planning, the right machinery and sharp timing can make a serious difference.
At G Kennedy & Sons, we supply a range of Malone grass mowers for farmers and contractors who need reliable output when the mowing window opens.
Quick takeaways
- Don’t chase bulk at the expense of feed value.
- Watch grass maturity and heading date.
- Have the mower serviced before the weather window opens.
- Sharp blades and a clean cut help regrowth.
- Match mower width and output to your acreage.
- Conditioner mowers can help when wilting time is tight.
Why the first cut matters so much
First-cut silage usually forms a major part of the winter feed plan. For dairy, beef and sheep farms, the quality of this crop can affect everything from milk yield to liveweight gain.
The aim is simple: cut grass when it has the best balance of yield and quality.
Cut too early, and you may lose bulk.
Cut too late, and the crop may have more stem, lower feed value and reduced digestibility.
That is the challenge every farmer faces — trying to get enough grass in the pit or bales while still keeping the quality high.
Timing is everything
Grass changes quickly in late spring and early summer. A field that looks ideal one week can become too strong the next, especially when growth takes off.
The best time to cut depends on:
- Grass growth stage
- Weather forecast
- Ground conditions
- Farm feed requirements
- Contractor availability
- Slurry and fertiliser timing
- The type of stock being fed
For high-performance stock, quality usually matters more than sheer bulk. For dry cows, store cattle or lower-demand animals, a heavier crop may still have its place. The key is knowing what feed you need before the mower enters the field.
| Situation | What it usually means | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Grass still leafy | Better feed quality | Consider cutting when weather allows |
| Grass heading out | Quality may fall quickly | Avoid delaying too long |
| Heavy first-cut crop | Wilting may take longer | Consider conditioner mower options |
| Short weather window | Output matters | Use suitable mower width/capacity |
| Blunt blades | Ragged cut and poorer regrowth | Replace blades before cutting |
Watch the heading date
Once grass starts heading out, quality can fall quickly.
As the plant moves from leafy growth into stem and seed head, digestibility drops. Stemmy grass is harder to preserve well and less palatable for stock.
That does not mean every field has to be cut at the exact same stage, but it does mean farmers should keep a close eye on grass maturity.
A good rule of thumb is:
Leafy grass gives better quality. Stemmy grass gives more bulk but lower feed value.
The ideal first cut is often about finding the balance between the two.
Do not wait too long for the perfect forecast
Every farmer knows the temptation: the grass is ready, but the forecast is uncertain. You wait a few days, then a few more, hoping for a perfect dry spell.
Sometimes that works. Sometimes the crop goes past its best.
In Northern Ireland and across Ireland and the UK, long perfect weather windows are never guaranteed. Often, farmers have to work with short breaks in the weather.
That is where machinery capacity matters.
When the window opens, you need to be able to get grass down quickly and cleanly. A reliable mower with the right working width for your acreage can make the difference between getting the job done on time and watching the crop lose quality.
Why a clean cut helps regrowth
A good mower is not just about knocking grass down.
A clean, even cut helps the sward recover better after mowing. Ragged cutting from blunt blades or poor setup can stress the plant and slow regrowth.
For second cut and later-season grazing, this matters.
Clean cutting helps:
- Improve regrowth
- Reduce stress on the sward
- Leave a tidier aftermath
- Improve crop flow
- Make tedding and rowing-up easier
- Reduce waste in the field
Before the first cut, blades should be checked and replaced where needed. Worn blades can cost more in lost crop quality and slower output than many farmers realise.
Match mowing output to your acreage
One of the biggest issues during first cut is not just when to start, but whether the farm has enough mowing capacity once the decision is made.
A mower that is too small for the acreage can leave you chasing the weather. A mower that is too big for the tractor or ground conditions can be awkward, inefficient and harder on the machine.
Before upgrading, farmers should think about:
- Total acreage to cut
- Tractor horsepower
- Field size and layout
- Road travel between fields
- Whether grass is lifted by your own outfit or contractor
- Whether you bale or pit silage
- How quickly you need the crop wilted
This is where the Malone mower range offers useful options, from mounted disc mowers through to conditioner mowers and larger professional setups.
Conditioner mowers and faster wilting
For many farmers, the big question is whether a conditioner mower is worth considering.
A conditioner mower cuts the grass and then helps open up the crop so moisture can leave the stem faster. This can be especially useful in heavy first-cut crops or where weather windows are tight.
Conditioning can help:
- Speed up wilting
- Improve drying consistency
- Reduce time lying in the field
- Help reach target dry matter sooner
- Reduce pressure when the weather is unsettled
A conditioner mower will not replace good weather, but it can help farmers make better use of the weather they get.
For farms regularly working with heavy crops, or contractors needing strong output, a Malone conditioner mower may be worth serious consideration.
Do not forget fertiliser and slurry timing
First-cut timing starts long before mowing day.
Slurry and fertiliser need time to work through the crop. Cutting too soon after application can lead to poor fermentation, contamination risk or excess nitrogen in the crop.
As a general principle, farmers should allow enough time between slurry/fertiliser application and cutting, while also checking crop condition and local advice.
Good silage is the result of the whole system working properly:
- Soil fertility
- Reseeding policy
- Slurry use
- Fertiliser planning
- Cutting date
- Wilting
- Harvesting
- Clamping or baling
- Sealing and storage
The mower is one part of the system, but it is a very important part.
Practical first-cut checklist
Before mowing, ask yourself:
- Is the grass at the right stage for the stock I am feeding?
- Is the forecast good enough to get the crop wilted and lifted?
- Are ground conditions suitable?
- Are mower blades sharp?
- Is the mower serviced and ready?
- Are belts, guards, oils and driveline components checked?
- Is the tedder or rake ready?
- Is the contractor booked if needed?
- Is there enough pit space or bale wrap available?
- Is the mower wide enough for the acreage and weather window?
The farmers who get first cut right are usually the ones who have the job planned before the weather breaks.
Why Malone mowers suit grassland farmers
Why consider a Malone mower?
Malone mowers are well suited to Irish and UK grassland conditions, where weather windows can be short and crops can be heavy. For farmers and contractors, the key advantage is simple: get grass down cleanly, quickly and reliably when the opportunity is there.
Whether you need a straightforward mounted disc mower or a conditioner mower for heavier crops and faster wilting, the Malone range gives practical options for different tractor sizes, acreages and workloads.
For many customers, the attraction of Malone is straightforward:
- Strong build quality
- Practical design
- Good mowing output
- Options for different farm sizes
- Mounted and conditioner mower choices
- Machines suited to heavy grass crops
- Dealer support through G Kennedy & Sons
Whether you are cutting a few fields for your own stock or covering serious acreage, choosing the right mower can improve the whole silage operation.
Final thoughts
Getting the first cut right is about timing, preparation and having the right machinery ready when the grass and weather line up.
Cut too late, and quality can slip. Cut with poor machinery or blunt blades, and regrowth and crop quality can suffer. Wait too long for perfect conditions, and the crop may go past its best.
A good first cut starts with good planning.
For farmers looking to improve mowing output this season, the Malone grass mower range offers strong options for clean cutting, efficient work rates and reliable performance in demanding grassland conditions.
Looking to upgrade your mower before the grass season gets into full swing?
At G Kennedy & Sons, we supply Malone grass mowers for farmers and contractors across Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK.
Thinking about upgrading your mower this season?
Talk to G Kennedy & Sons about the Malone mower range. We can help match the right machine to your tractor, acreage, crop type and workload.
Call 028 2765 7491 or view the Malone mower range online.🌱
