Evaluation of a Southern Mediterranean forage farming system

The research carried out in the pastures of the Nebrodi Mountains (Sicily, Southern Italy)shows high variability of climate and vegetation in relation to altitude. Agricultural improvement practices and grazing management are occasional. There are also areas of high yield as well as highly degraded areas due to soil erosion and over-grazing. Stabilizing seasonal forage yield even in difficult years is one of the most significant problems related to pasturage in this area. So a biennial research project (2006 and 2008) was carried out in a representative farm to evaluate daily growth cycle, seasonal yield, fodder value and forage quality of a natural pasture, an improved pasture, an under tree pasture and a meadow, to estimate forage system efficiency. The results show that yield was related to the amount of spring rainfall and phosphate fertilizers; the meadow did not modify forage quality, quantity or seasonal availability.