The state and production of grasslands in Serbia

Abstract

Given that Serbia (without Kosovo) has large areas under grassland, the aim of this study was to analyze the variation and trend of the areas, total production and yields over 71 years (1948-2018) and prognosis of yield in the next 30 years. The results indicated that the area of grasslands in Serbia declined over the last decade. Most grasslands in hilly-mountain region were degraded and without application of agrotechnical - remedial measures so that large areas were lost. In Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, areas of grasslands have been declining because have been converted into arable land. Total production of meadows increased while total production of pastures decreased during the observed period. The grasslands areas in Serbia showed low yields. In the Vojvodina region, meadows showed decrease in forage productivity, while pastures showed increase in forage productivity. Areas under meadows and pastures should be recultivated and brought into production in accordance with the needs of livestock development. This will result in higher quantity and higher quality production of green mass and hay. Unfortunately, depopulation and underrepresentation of animals per unit area represented a limiting factor for grassland exploitation. On the other hand, in the future yield growth rates of grasslands in Serbia and Central Serbia and pastures in Vojvodina will very low increase. Contrary, yields growth rates of meadows in Vojvodina will decrease by 2050.