FEEDING VALUE AND COMPOSITION OF THE HAY IN SLAVONIA

The composition and nutritive value of 43 average samples of hay produced on meadows under grass and natural meadows in Slavonia were determined between May and June 1966, 1967 and 1968. Tabulated and annexed analytical data indicate rather large differences in chemical and botanical composition. Crude proteins, Crude fibres-, Carotine- , Ca-, p-, Na-, Fe-, Mn- , Zn-, B-, Cu-, and Co- contents vary respectively from 7 .93-23.48%, 17.55-34.10 %, 39.4- 310%, 0.25-1.29%, 0.15-0.43%, 0.03- 0.13%, 52.0-175 ppm, 30.0-116.0 ppm, 15.0-31.4 ppm, 2.2-40.0 ppm, 5.6-27.4 ppm and 0.08-0.24 ppm (Tables 1,2,3,4,5 and 6). According to the contents of crude proteins, starch value and macroelements analyzed samples of hay should be considered as satisfactory. Determined Fe- and Mn- contents are lower, Zn-, B- and Cu contents nearly the same, minima Co- contents higher and maxima lower than those in cited papers. Co- contents of all samples surpass 0.07 ppm, the, amount relevant for appearance of Codeficiency disease in ruminants. Necessity of a systematic, regular and as complete as possible analysis of fodder is pointed out as very important factor in appreciation of its nutritive value, only real basis for a rational animal feeding