Effect of Manure Application on the Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value of Rangeland Hay

This study was conducted on a secondary succession rangeland at the Samsun region in Turkey. The area which was plowed about 30 years ago and then abandoned. In the study was used sheep manure. Target rates of sheep manure was 0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0 and 100 kg total N ha-1 based on the manure analyses results (according to N rates in manure). Ca, P, K, Mg content of rangeland hay ranged from 7.54-10.64 g kg-1, from 3.08-3.37 g kg-1 from 25.66-36.07 g kg-1, from 2.11-2.57 g kg-1, respectively over 3 years. ADF content of rangeland hay ranged from 376.2-397.3 g kg-1 in 2006, from 391.9-410.5 g kg-1 in 2007, from 361.0-385.0 g kg-1 in over the 3 years. NDF content was determined between 547.5 (in 37.5+37.5 kg N ha-1 treatment) and 619.9 g kg-1 (25.0 kg N ha-1 treatments) in the mean of 3 years. The effect of manure on rangeland hay quality and chemical properties generally affected positive as application rates increased.