Analysis of the current state of natural meadows for beef cattle breeding in the Kushchevsky district of the Krasnodar region

The article presents the results of a study of the efficiency of using land for the development of beef cattle and sheep breeding in the Kushchevsky district of the Krasnodar region in 2022. The results of the studies showed that the studied grass stands in the Kushchevsky district of the Krasnodar region are rich in floristic composition and are capable of fully providing animals with all nutrients, as well as macro- and microelements. To ensure the highest profitability from meat cattle in the highly rugged terrain of the studied natural meadows, it is recommended to give preference to Hereford, Aberdeen Angus or Kazakh white-headed cattle breeds.

Introduction. To ensure feeding, walking, and increasing productivity, grazing of farm animals is necessary. To identify suitable areas for this, it is necessary to first conduct a survey of natural feeding grounds. pasture grass is a complete feed in all respects, capable of satisfying the full needs of all farm animals. This is true for pastures with a diverse botanical composition. In this regard, it became necessary to analyze the current state of natural meadows in various climatic zones of the Kuban and develop recommendations for their improvement and possible load of beef cattle and sheep.

Object. The object of research is the grass stand of natural meadows and pastures in the Kushchevsky district of the Krasnodar region.

Materials and methods. The paper presents the results of a study of the efficiency of using land for the development of beef cattle and sheep breeding in the Krasnodar region. In the Kushchevsky district of the Krasnodar region in 2022, an analysis of climatic conditions was carried out as the main factor in the productivity of natural hayfields and pastures. The reserve of productive moisture in a meter layer of soil at the beginning of the active growing season in the Kushchevsky district (Northern zone) of the Krasnodar region was 150-165 mm. In the surveyed area of the Krasnodar region, taking into account the average temperature graphs, the duration of the grazing period equal to 200 days from April 15 to November 1 is justified. The accepted duration of the stall period is 165 days. An analysis of the species composition of the grass stand was carried out, and the yield and nutritional value of the studied areas were determined.

Results and conclusion. Field observations showed that the studied grass stands in the Kushchevsky district of the Krasnodar region are rich in floristic composition and are capable of fully providing animals with all nutrients, as well as macro- and microelements. The species eaten in the studied areas make up 60.0-90.9%. In the Kushchevsky district, of the 12 surveyed sites, all but No. 1 and No. 9 are effective in terms of productivity for raising beef cattle and sheep. Natural pastures can be effectively used with calculated indicators taking into account the grass yield in 3 cuttings of up to 2 hectares per 1 conventional head of cattle. In the surveyed area, one conventional head in the summer period (lasting 200 days) requires 2,130 EFU, in the winter (lasting 165 days) – 1,594 EFU, a total of 3,724 EFU for the year. To ensure the highest profitability from meat cattle in the highly rugged terrain of the studied natural meadows, it is recommended to give preference to Hereford, Aberdeen Angus or Kazakh white-headed cattle breeds. 

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