Restoring a Low-Production Field with a 15-Foot John Deere Flex Wing Mower
I’m starting a really big job today—and I won’t finish it in one day.
What I’m doing might surprise you. I’m using a piece of equipment you haven’t seen me use on this farm before, and it plays a critical role in restoring this field for the future.
Three things are happening:
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This field I’m standing in needs to be mowed—badly. The grass is chest-high.
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I’m introducing a new piece of farm equipment to Mission Farmstead.
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You’re riding along with me in the buddy seat while we get to work.
Why a Regenerative Farm Still Mows Fields
At first glance, mowing chest-high grass on a regenerative farm might seem counterintuitive. But this field has low production and years of compaction issues that need to be addressed before it can become healthy pasture again.
This fall, the plan is to restore it through tillage—but I can’t chisel plow through three to four feet of standing grass. Step one is mowing it down so all that green material can be worked back into the soil as organic matter.
This isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about preparation.
Introducing the John Deere FC15E Flex Wing Mower
This is the first time this machine has been used on the farm.
Meet the John Deere FC15E Flex Wing Mower—a 15-foot rotary mower made up of three five-foot mowing decks. That “flex wing” design allows each section to move independently, following the contours of uneven ground.
I’m pulling it with my John Deere 5090E, a 90-horsepower utility tractor from John Deere’s 5 Series. It’s an economy-class tractor, but it has the weight, power, four-wheel drive, and cab comfort I need for jobs like this.
This mower will play a long-term role here. After fall tillage, I’ll be mowing regularly as we establish new pasture in 2025 and beyond—keeping weeds down while pasture seed gets established and takes root.
Mowing Through Years of Compaction
As we move through the field, the differences in grass height tell a story.
Where the grass is only about a foot tall, the soil is heavily compacted—over 200 PSI in some areas. Other spots reach three to four feet tall, showing better soil structure and water infiltration.
This farm has likely been no-tilled since the 1990s. While no-till has its benefits, years of compaction without biological recovery can limit productivity. That’s why this mowing pass matters—it sets the stage for chisel plowing eight to twelve inches deep next week.
Earlier, I applied agricultural lime—two tons per acre—to raise the soil pH from 5.2 closer to neutral. Once this field is tilled, that lime will finally be worked into the soil where it can do its job.
Riding Along in the Buddy Seat
As we mow, speeds range from about 2.5 mph in thick grass to over 4 mph in lighter areas. I’ll often overlap passes intentionally—running one tire along the edge of already-cut grass—to reduce engine strain and ensure a clean cut.
This mower does an excellent job mulching everything down. Those tall stalks you see would have stopped the chisel plow cold, but now they’ll become green manure, feeding the soil instead of fighting it.
Along the way, we pass erosion repair areas, former gullies, and spots where trees had to be removed to control water flow. These areas tell the long story of this land—and the work it takes to restore it properly.
And right over there? That’s the future home of our farm school.
Small Moments on the Farm
Halfway through the job, we get a visitor—a deer quietly feeding at the edge of the woods. Moments like that are easy to miss if you’re always rushing.
That’s one of the reasons I enjoy this work so much.
If you’ve made it this far in the video—or this blog—I just want to say thank you. Your time is your most valuable asset, and I don’t take that lightly.
Why I Chose This Tractor
I bought this John Deere shortly after the supply shortages, when inventory was tight. I knew I wanted a utility tractor with enough weight to handle tillage, enough power to pull a 15-foot mower, four-wheel drive, and—most importantly—a cab with air conditioning.
John Deere wasn’t the only brand I grew up around, but it’s one I’ve always respected. Yes, they’re expensive—but this tractor has earned its place on this farm.
As my dad used to say, “Nothing good about a John Deere… except it’s green like money.”
The Work Is Just Beginning
By the end of the day, the field that started with chest-high grass is now cleanly mowed. The job was big—but it’s only the first step.
Next week, this field will be chisel plowed, seeded, and set on a new path toward productive pasture.
This is what restoration looks like: slow, intentional work done in the right order.
Thank you for riding along with me in the buddy seat today. I enjoyed your company, and I hope you’ll join me again on the next episode’s mission.