mowing fields

[Martin Bailey]

Dear Kent,

If the fields are planted in legumes like alfalfa and clover, it is common practice to cut every second year.  These plants seed every other year.  What the landowners are doing is good farm management. 

In my neck of the woods (flats actually), when alfalfa is blooming numbers of Whites and Sulphurs skyrocket.  Economically, beside regenerating the soil, alfalfa and clover are important for honey production. ( Bees and butterflies nectaring.)

Literature:  All kinds of  information available from Agricultural Extension Departments either associated  with land grant universities or departments of agriculture.

Martin Bailey,

greetings from:  Weyburn, SK., Canada.
                         49.39N  103.51W
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: kmcfarland at vinsweb.org 
  To: Lepidoptera List 
  Sent: Monday, June 24, 2002 11:12 AM
  Subject: mowing fields


  I have had increasing numbers of landowners ask me about mowing old fields here in Vermont and the management of butterflies. There are many small fields here that are not used for anything, but the owners want to keep them open. They are typically cut every other year. Does anyone know of any studies on this subject that I may find published? It sure begs of an answer for this region.

  Thank you.
  Kent
  *********************************************
  Kent P. McFarland
  Conservation Biology Department                 
  Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS)
  27023 Church Hill Road
  Woodstock, VT  05091
  phone   802-457-2779   x124 voice mail
  fax             802-457-1053
  e-mail  KMcFarland at VINSweb.org
  http://www.vinsweb.org/conservation/index.html
  **************************************************** 
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