ORGANIZATION OF THE RATIONAL USE OF NATURAL FORAGE LANDS IN DAGESTAN

Abstract

The article deals with the organization of effective use of natural forage lands. In the
feed balance, hayfields and pastures occupy a significant share and they are a store for
increasing the production of livestock products with low prime cost. Currently, natural
hayfields and pastures in Dagestan are unproductive and give a severely low hay yield. At the
same time, research data and the results of advanced farms show that improving natural
forage lands allows getting high yields. The article considers an approach of the steady fodder
supply organization with the help of improvement and effective use of natural forage lands.
Systemless use of flatland grazing areas turns grass pasture into sagebrush pastures at
first, and then into a very dense pasture with a predominance of low-growing annuals with a
short vegetational season. Moreover, they are weeded with harmful and poisonous herbs and
shrubs. These and other negative consequences of natural forage lands misuse lead to changes
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in the botanical composition of plants, reduction in yields and decrease of soil-feeding
capacity.
Summer alpine and subalpine pastures are of great value in the conditions of mountain
free range animal husbandry in Dagestan. Economic value of keeping animals in summer
alpine pastures is determined primarily by the high nutritional value of these pastures, which
do not burn out, have low dense plant stand with a large number of cereals and legumes.