The content of basic nutrients and fibre fractions in hay from extensively used Alopecuretum pratensis and Holcetum lanati communities

Investigations were conducted in 2007–2009 on two permanent meadows, included in the Agri–Environmental Programme for the years 2007–2013 with dominating meadow foxtail localised in Skrzeszowice and a meadow with dominating common velvet grass in Komorniki. Both localities are situated near Krakow. The investigations were conducted to determine fodder value of hay from extensively used Alopecuretum pratensis and Holcetum lanati communities on the basis of yielding and basic chemical composition (contents of crude ash, total protein, crude fat, nitrogen–free extracts, crude protein and fibre fraction share). The presence of 25 species was noted in the Alopecuretum pratensis meadow sward, whereas 32 species were identified in Holcetum lanati community. Total dry mass yields from Alopecuretum pratensis meadow were from 5.26 to 6.38 t ha–1 and from the Holcetum lanati meadow between 2.85 and 3.49 t ha–1. Quantities of energy nutrients and crude ash in the hay from Alopecuretum pratensis and Holcetum lanati communities were diversified. Hay samples originating from Holcetum lanati community had a lower content of crude ash, total protein and crude fat but higher concentrations of crude fibre and nitrogen free extracts than plant samples from Alopecurus pratensis community. High concentrations of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF), considerably exceeding the permissible quantities stated in the feeding standards were assessed in the analysed hay from both meadows