Quantitative and qualitative dynamics of sward production in clover/grass pastures

The trial was carried out in the years 1999-2004 in West Lithuania's undulating region on the northwest-facing slope with a mean inclination of 5 degrees. Perennial clover/grass mixtures (60% clover and 40% grasses Lolium perenne and Poa pratensis at initial ratio 1: 1) were sown with barley as a cover crop. The plot size was 20 m(2). The following treatments replicated four times were: 1. Trifolium repens, grasses; 2. T pratense, grasses; 3. T repens 30%, T pratense 30%, grasses; 4. Grasses. The experimental area was grazed 3-5 times per season with cattle. Prior to each grazing one half of the plots were cut for herbage DM yield, its botanical composition, crude protein and crude fibre content measurements. The yield of pasture varied within the grazing season, the treatment and especially year of use. In total, the most productive were the swards of mixtures including red clover. The highest composition of legumes in the DM yield was identified in the second and fifth years of use in the mixtures with red clover. The highest protein content in herbage was recorded in the second year of use in the mixed clover/grass pasture when the swards contained a large amount of legumes and ryegrass, noted for their high feeding value.