Problems and prospects for the efficient use of the region's forage resources

Ryazan State Agrotechnological University Named after P.A. Kostychev, 390048, Ryazan, Russia

^* Corresponding author: ay.gusev@mail.ru

Abstract

The modern livestock faces the task to optimize feed rations, on which productivity growth directly depends. Russia continues to maintain a stable trend associated with a reduction in the livestock population, so the growth of production should be ensured mainly by intensive factors, namely productivity, the increase of which is achieved through proper and balanced feeding. An extensive livestock reproduction by expanding its population is quite acceptable and effective in Russia with its large territory and various agricultural lands (arable lands, hayfields, pastures). Small-scale farming should also be actively involved in livestock production by providing with targeted state support and preferences. In the region under study, productivity growth is achieved primarily through feed improvement and optimization. Research shows that the growth rate of livestock productivity outpaces the growth rate of feed consumption, which means that the current feed is acceptable, but requires some adjustment. The region is focused on the concentrate animal feeding. The desire to increase the proportion of concentrates in the feed is dictated by the need to ensure accelerated rates of productivity growth, but its increase does not always give the desired effect, so it is necessary to replace them with succulent feed, silage, hay, herbage.