PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIELD FORAGE PRODUCTION UNDER THE ARID CONDITIONS OF THE ASTRAKHAN REGION BASED ON THE INTRODUCTION OF LONG-ROTATION FORAGE CROP ROTATIONS AND CONVEYOR FORAGE PRODUCTION
The article outlines the prospects for the development of field fodder production in the arid conditions of the Astrakhan region. The results of the research showed that the introduction of long-rotation fodder crop rotations and conveyor production of fodder will contribute to the creation of a full-fledged fodder base for the livestock industries and the solution of the problem of food security in the region for milk and beef. At present, the state of field fodder production in the arid zone does not allow providing a full fodder base for cattle (cattle). The reduction of fodder crops in the structure of irrigated crop rotations has led to underutilization of more than half of arable land. At the same time, feed for the livestock industries is an intermediate commodity and pays off only with milk and beef. Feed insecurity has a negative impact on the dairy and meat productivity of farm animals in the region and, as a result, on the food security of the population in terms of dairy and meat products within the regional production. In this regard, the topic of research is particularly relevant. Objects. The object of research was the fodder crop rotation and the "green conveyor" developed for the arid conditions of the Kharabalinsky district of the Astrakhan region. Materials and methods. The study used data from field experiments on the study of long-rotation fodder crop rotations and the "green conveyor". Results and conclusions. The results of the research showed that in the studied fodder crop rotation, consisting of four fields of alfalfa, one field of sorghum for silage and one field of winter rye, alfalfa formed the maximum level of productivity in the second (18.2 tons per 1 ha - variant of experiment N35P60K50) and third (18.0 t/ha - experience variant N40P60K50) years of use. Every year, except for the first year, 4 mowings of the studied culture were made; in the first year, 2 mowings were performed. Among the varieties of alfalfa, the variety Talisman had the highest yield. Among the varieties of sorghum for silage, the highest level of productivity was registered in the variety Debut (49 tons per 1 ha - experimental variant: the main fertilizer N100P60K60 + top dressing N40). The most productive among the varieties of winter rye included in the fodder crop rotation was the variety Bezenchukskaya 87 (option N50P70K60 + top dressing N40). Studies have shown that the most preferable for the arid conditions of the Kharabalinsky district of the Astrakhan region will be the following green conveyor scheme: Winter rye, fibrous wheatgrass + Hedgehog + Sandy sainfoin, gray wheatgrass + Timothy grass meadow + Oriental goat's rue, Oats, barley, spring vetch and their mixtures 1 sowing time, Oats, barley, spring vetch and their mixtures 2 sowing dates, Sudan grass + spring vetch, Aftermath of perennial legumes, Early ripening corn, Aftermath of Sudanese grass. Spring rapeseed. The recommended scheme of the green conveyor will provide agricultural animals with a full fodder base during busy periods of feed availability.