What's better, shredding ("mulching") grass cuttings finely and spreading them over the surface of the pasture in an even windrow for the ants and worms to incorporate, or, to cut the grass near the base and let the long stems fall on top of the sward, to dry, and slowly decompose, to be incorporated into the ground over a longer period of time?  The goals, probably for all soil, but for our land in particular, are to capture carbon, build quality top soil and encourage indigenous wildlife.

The former option, provided by a flail mower or rotary blade mower with 'mulching plug' (essentially a plate which blocks the outlet to the grass collector, meaning that cuttings are kept within the deck for longer, to ensure that they are fully comminuted),  provides 'easy to digest' finely carbon-rich fibre.  The