Forage Sources For Ruminants In Bulgaria

The paper is a brief overview of climate and forage sources of feed for the ruminants – cattle, sheep and goats in Bulgaria. Main sources for grazing and hay making in spring-summer season are the natural pastures, and for feeding rack are the preserved forages – haylage and silage from forage cultures, which are grown on arable land. Natural pasture swards occupy 1/3 from the agricultural area in Bulgaria. They consist of natural species, which are well adapted to the local conditions, but their yield is low. They are suitable for extensive stock-breeding and to obtain healthy food of animal origin. The sown pasture swards in Bulgaria take a small share, but more and more farmers show interest for establishment of artificial pastures near the farm. The big cattle breeding farms rely mainly on hay and haylage from alfalfa, and maize silage. Feeding in most of them is on rack in the cattle-shed all year round. In the paper are given data for the composition of a natural sward in the mountain and foothill pastures in Bulgaria. Attention is paid on main grass-feed sources such as the alfalfa, peas and vetch, waste rough forage, as well as maize for silage and some new technological methods for silage making