Change of yield and botanical composition with different altitudes in the pastures of kars province

This study was conducted to determine the differences in botanical composition, yield and hay quality depending on altitude. Three rangeland sites were selected to examine in Digor town of Kars province in 2013. According to results, botanical composition consisted of 45.86% grasses, 27.33% legumes and 26.86% other family plants. Average fresh hay yield was 6,89t ha-1and it changed between 4,49 and 10,09 t ha-1among sites. Average dry matter yield was 3,38t ha-1and it changed between 2,25 and 4,58 t ha-1 among sites. Crude protein was determined as the average rate of 17.74%. 19.5%, the highest rate of the third section, the second section with crude protein content of 16.81% was the lowest. In sites I., II. and III. respectively were determined ADF ratio 33.67, 33.48 and 30.88, NDF ratio 51.92, 47.08 and 48.49, the relative feed value 181.93, 198.10 and 207.98.