Indeed, why would you avoid shortest straw, if the tallest grass gets chopped first? I think he meant "The tallest blade of grass is the first to be mowed down

Indeed, why would you avoid shortest straw, if the tallest grass gets chopped first? I think he meant "The tallest blade of grass is the first to be mowed down", but that's not during "turbulent times", it's when you are mowing your lawn. I guess that's turbulent for the grass.