FEEDING COST REDUCTION OF AWASSI SHEEP THROUGH RANGELAND REHABILITATION AT KHANASRI IN THE NORTHERN BADIA OF JORDAN

The present study was conducted at Khanasri during 2012, 2013 and 2014 and aimed to determine the effect of rangeland rehabilitation on feed cost, rangeland productivity, and stocking rate. Three rangeland systems were included in this study: Fodder shrubs, native vegetation and open access. Year 2012 native vegetation fresh yield had significance differences. The fodder shrubs allowable yield was 138.4, 51.2 and 92.5 kg ha-1 for 2012, 2013 and 2014 years, respectively. The interaction between treatments fodder shrubs and native vegetation systems and year 2012 showed high significance yield while open access with all years showed the lowest yield. The interaction between treatments fodder shrubs and native vegetation systems and year 2012 showed high significance total dry, allowable, site yield and stocking rate while open access with all years showed the lowest yield values. The fodder shrubs and native vegetation systems were decreased feeding cost. The year 2012 was more effective or profitable in comparison with the results of 2013 and 2014 due to rainfall amounts. We concluded that both fodder shrubs and native vegetation systems were increased rangeland productivity, stocking rate and decreasing sheep feeding cost