Nutrition as factor of improvement of production of sheep milk on the territory of Stara Planina mountain

Abstract

Investigation was carried out on the territory of Stara Planina mountain, Pirot mnucipality, in villages: Dojkinci, Brlog, Jelovica, Visočka Ržana and Rsovci, from 700-1200 m above sea level, on farms with greater number of sheep (over 100 heads) which in regard to the breeds structure were mainly Pirot pramenka breed, and insignificant number of heads were crosses of Pirot Pramenka and Württemberg. Research included analysis of pasture from the aspect of floristic and chemical composition. In regard to botanical composition it was concluded that grasses were present with approx. 50%, leguminous plants with 15% , and herbaceous plants with 35%. Share of crude protein in investigated samples varied from 4,81 to 13,57%, and of crude fibre from 20,67 to 37,17%. Yield of forage on pastures was from 0,6 to 2,0 t/ha. Low yield as well as unsatisfactory floristic composition of pastures resulted from poor care, especially lack of fertilization and their unplanned and inefficient use which was reflected on milk yield of sheep, in lactation of 180 days it was from 69,16-70,40 kg. Improvement of botanical composition can be achieved by application of fertilizers since in this way the share of useful grasses (Poaceae) and leguminous plants (Fabaceae) is increased, and share of herbaceous plants in total mass of pasture is reduced, which represents one of our goals in research on the Pirot territory of Stara Planina mountain. In order to preserve the quality and phytodiversity of plant species we suggested as optimal way of pasture utilization, combination of pasture and cutting system. In winter nutrition period, on investigated locations, introduction of haylage in nutrition of sheep used for production of milk is recommended, because of its higher nutritive value compared to hay.

U radu je analizirano sadašnje stanje u proizvodnji ovčijeg mleka (sa aspekta proizvodnje stočne hrane i ishrane) na području pirotskog dela Stare planine. Rezultati ispitivanja su pokazali da je postojeći sistem proizvodnje ekstenzivan i nezadovoljavajući obzirom na agrarno-geografski potencijal. U cilju prevazilaženja takvog stanja, naše aktivnosti su bile usmerene na uvođenje novih tehnoloških postupaka u ishrani ovaca kao što su: promena florističkog sastava pašnjaka pod uticajem đubrenja, planska eksploatacija pašnjaka i korišćenje senaže u ishrani ovaca za proizvodnju mleka.