A Comparison of Herbage and Protein Yields of Artificial Rangeland Forage Mixtures

Abstract

This research was conducted on a farmer's field in Erci(o) (Van), Turkey in 2001 and 2002. Four forage plants-Garden Burnet, Sainfoin, Crested Wheatgrass and Sheep Fescue were used in the study. Six mixtures were prepared, each comprised of 25% crested wheatgrass and 25% sheep fescue, but with variations in sainfoin and garden burnet ratios of 0-50, 10-40, 20-30, 30-20, 40-10 and 50-0%. Study results found that the highest hay and crude protein yields (I I I I and 180 kg ha(-1), respectively) were obtained with the mixture consisting of 25% crested wheatgrass, 25% sheep fescue, 30% garden burnet and 20% sainfoin. This mixture rate can be recommended for use on artificial rangelands established in drought areas in semiarid regions throughout the world.