Increasing fodder crop productivity is a research priority due to the cattle raising type of agriculture practised in Buryatia. Productivity of oats in different crop rotation schemes in the dry steppe zone during 2001-05 is tabulated. The highest oat grain-haylage yield (11.3 t/ha) was achieved in the following scheme: naked fallow - wheat + oats - oat for grain-haylage. Usage of multispecies cropping system for increasing hay cutting yield is described. Melilotus, oil radish and spring rape are highly recommended for cultivation in single and mixed forage sowing. Fodder crops productivity and additional yield depending on sowing time and fertilization in 5-years period are summarised in 2 tables. Optimum sowing time for using June-August precipitation is the last ten-day period of June. Nutritional quality of oat and barley hay according to degree of their ripeness is discussed.
