The effects of altitude and cutting times on the yield and botanical composition of Uşak Banaz natural

This study was carried out in order to determine the effects of elevation and cutting times on yield, quality and botanical composition of the natural pastures in 900 m, 1000 m and 1200 m altitude in Banaz district of Usak in 2018. The experiment was established in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Starting from May 15, which is the beginning of the grazing season for Banaz, 1 m2 of quadrate samples were taken from pastures every 15 days. In the research, green herbage yield, hay yield, botanical composition of legumes, grasses and ratio of other families, crude protein ratio, crude protein yield and needed pasture area for 1 cattle unit values were determined. According to the results, the highest green herbage and hay yields were obtained from the 1200 m and 1000 m elevations pastures on 30 May, 15 June and 30 June cuttings. While the ratio of legumes in botanical composition increased with increasing pasture elevation, the ratio of grasses decreased. The highest crude protein ratio and yield were obtained from natural pastures at an altitude of 1200 m, while the progressing of cutting times caused a decrease in the crude protein ratio and yields. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the pasture at 1200 m altitude on the basis of elevations and 30 May and 15 June on the basis of cutting times were superior in terms of hay yield and quality.