This study was conducted to suggest the new grassland grade system on evaluating the grassland status. The grassland status has been evaluated based on the forage yield (good, fair and poor) by municipal authorities. The grassland grades by current system were 19 good, 11 fair and 11 poor among the 41 grassland farms from 6 provinces. This evaluation result differed greatly from the result of actual measurement of forage yields which showed all poor. The big difference was resulted from failing the reflection of the various characteristics, such as different seasonal growth and harvest frequency. Furthermore, the lack of consistent examining date and method added the inaccuracy of current grassland grade system. The new grassland grade system based on the grassland vegetation ratio (grass, weed and bare soil) was initially designed into 6-grade system (1st; 100~80%, 2nd; 79~60%, 3rd; 59~40%, 4th; 39~20%; 5th; 19~1% and 6th; 0% on the basis of grasses proportion), but later was changed into 4-grade system (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades are 70% or more, 50% or more, 50% or less, and 0% of forage proportion, respectively) after reflecting the opinion of grassland farms and municipal authorities. Re-evaluation on the grassland status using the 4-grade system resulted in the total 80% consisted of 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade which means most grasslands needs the partial reseeding or the rehabilitation of entire grassland. Pictures and schematic diagrams depicting the 4-grade system were presented to improve the objectivity of evaluation. The optimal time for assessing grassland status is fall when plant height 20~30 cm. Conclusively, the 4-grade system is an efficient method for all non-professionals including grassland farms or municipal authorities in assessing the grassland status. To apply this system to the field, the institutional arrangements such as amendment of grassland act should take place in advance.

ABSTRACT
Ⅰ. 서 론
Ⅱ. 재료 및 방법
Ⅲ. 결과 및 고찰
    1. 목초생산량 및 조사기준의 문제점
    2. 지자체의 목초생산량기준과 실측 목초생산량기준간의 초지등급 비교
    3. 6단계등급에서 4단계등급으로 간소화
    4. 4단계등급의 조사기준 및 현장 적용 방안
Ⅳ. 요 약
Ⅴ. 사 사
Ⅵ. REFERENCES

• 이배훈(국립축산과학원) | Bae Hun Lee (National Institute of Animal Science, RDA)
• 김지융(강원대학교 동물생명과학대학) | Ji Yung Kim (College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University)
• 박형수(국립축산과학원) | Hyung Soo Park (National Institute of Animal Science, RDA)
• 성경일(강원대학교 동물생명과학대학) | Kyung Il Sung (College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University) Corresponding author
• 김병완(강원대학교 동물생명과학대학) | Byong Wan Kim (College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University) Corresponding author