Associations of fattening cattle breeders from Vojvodina appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to bring order to the use of pastures and stop their plowing. They believe that pastures are key to increasing livestock production, because with their optimal use, up to 150,000 high-quality fattening head could be reared in Serbia, compared to the current 25,000. Pastures are the basic resource for breeding fattening cattle, especially more resistant breeds such as Angus, which can be grazed even in dry conditions, such as those on the pastures of Mužljanski rit near Zrenjanin.
Farmers, like Željko Šesta from Mužlja, see many problems here. They expect that part of the funds collected from the lease of state land will be returned to the improvement of pasture quality, through joint investments. According to his opinion, pastures should be enriched with different fertilizers. And in some cases, he points out, they even need to be watered, in order to improve their productivity. Also, he believes that the state, which currently charges the lease of pasture at the same price as the lease of arable land, should ensure better cooperation with livestock farmers.
At the level of northern Banat, the province declared a protected zone of 5,700 hectares within the Nature Park “Slatine in the Zlatica Valley”. The goal of this initiative is to preserve the ecosystem of the lowland and protect the remaining pastures. Sandor Tot from the Nature Park points out that many pastures are already modeled due to lack of control. But, adds Tot, these areas are essential not only for animal husbandry but also for the development of eco-tourism, which already attracts a significant number of visitors.
Paoris without pasture make less profits
The law regulates that pastures cannot be repurposed, regardless of ownership. At the same time, the use of pastures brings significant financial savings to livestock farmers. Čedomir Keco from the Association “Agroprofit” points out that cheap and safe production in fattening cattle, within the cow-calf system, is impossible without the use of pasture. As he points out, about 60% of the savings in livestock feed consumption are achieved in this way.
At a meeting of fattening cattle breeders in Lukino Selo near Zrenjanin, those present expressed dissatisfaction with the increase in the lease of pastures. Namely, the rental price for the next year has increased from 3,500 to 17,000 dinars per hectare. They also expressed the expectation that an analysis of the current state of the pastures would be carried out. It was pointed out that a detailed sectoral analysis of the situation in fattening cattle breeding is also necessary before the adoption of the new Strategy for Agriculture. This analysis would be crucial for the formation of the future pasture management policy and the improvement of animal husbandry in Serbia.
Source: AgroTV
Source: boljazemlja.com
