Cutting season will be less important in farms where cattle and sheep are still kept. Winter cutting should be chosen when plantation survival is of primary importance. Summer cutting when higher forage is sought. Cattle benefit if shrubs are cut in winter. On the contrary, sheep have greater intake if shrub branches are lopped in summer.
Mixed herds are the best users, but imply a more complicated management.
Further investigations could contribute to resolve questions. A first question is plantation persistence. Yields were reduced with summer cutting and this could suggest higher plant stress and possible reductions of shrub life. References Boschini, C. 2000. Establishment and management of mulberry for intensive forage production.