This study was conducted to analyze long-term trends in moisture content and regional distribution characteristics of winter forages produced in Korea. A total of 14,204 samples collected from forage production farms and TMR facilities across 128 Si/Gun units nationwide from 2015 to 2024 were analyzed for moisture content, and annual, regional, and species-specific trends were examined accordingly. The overall mean moisture content was 34.82 ± 16.68%, with a declining trend from 46.70% in 2015 to 30.71% in 2024. Among the forage species, Italian ryegrass showed the lowest mean moisture content (29.44 ± 13.31%), decreasing consistently from 41.16% in 2015 to 23.91% in 2024, contributing substantially to the overall declining trend. Regional variation in moisture content was associated with differences in forage storage type composition, with Gangwon province showing higher moisture content corresponding to a greater proportion of silage, while Jeonbuk province showed lower moisture content with a higher proportion of hay. No statistically significant correlations were found between moisture content and environmental factors including precipitation and drainage installation rate (p>0.05), suggesting that final moisture content is likely influenced by multiple factors beyond regional precipitation, highlighting the need for further studies including direct variables like post-harvest management. The proportion of hay increased from 7.8% in 2015 to 32.3% in 2024, while silage decreased from 43.9% to 15.0%, a trend that coincides with the implementation of the national forage quality grading system initiated in 2015, suggesting a possible association. These results provide baseline data for developing region-specific forage production and quality management strategies in Korea.
Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is a major winter forage crop requiring improved drought tolerance under climate change. This study evaluated 42 accessions, consisting of 20 Korean cultivars and 22 exotic germplasm under four polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations (0, 10, 15, and 20%) to assess germination and early seedling responses to drought stress. Increasing PEG levels significantly reduced germination percentage (GP), germination energy (GE), germination index (GI), and seedling vigor index (SVI), while mean germination time (MGT) increased. At 20% PEG, GP decreased by approximately 74% compared with the control. Early seedling vigor, expressed as SVI (integrating fresh weight, shoot length, and root length) also declined depending on concentration. Germination traits (GE and GI) showed strong positive correlations with SVI, indicating that early germination performance was closely associated with subsequent growth under drought stress. Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and principal component analysis consistently identified several accessions (Earlybird, IR602, IR901, Florida 98, Maximus, Orlando, and Moscovsky 74) as relatively drought tolerant. Overall, the integration of germination and seedling vigor index provides a reliable phenotypic screening approach for identifying drought-tolerant Italian ryegrass.
This study demonstrated that inlet moisture content is a critical factor influencing drying efficiency, production rate prediction accuracy, and feed value changes of Italian ryegrass (IRG) in a multi-stage conveyor-type hot-air forage dryer. The experiment was conducted by uniformly loading IRG at a fixed drying height of approximately 25 cm with four different inlet moisture contents (30, 40, 50, and 60%). Drying time increased exponentially with increasing inlet moisture content, and a strong linear relationship was observed between inlet moisture content and the time required to reach 15% moisture, enabling the development of a reliable drying time prediction model. The proposed model showed high applicability and prediction accuracy at inlet moisture contents of 30–40%, where predicted and measured production rates were in close agreement. However, at inlet moisture contents of 60% or higher, the model substantially overestimated production rates, indicating limitations under high-moisture conditions. This behavior was attributed to reduced airflow penetration and diminished heat and mass transfer efficiency caused by increased material thickness and particle mass at high moisture levels. Feed value analysis revealed that crude protein content decreased by 12–20% following hot-air drying compared with fresh material, while ether extract, crude ash, and fiber components were not significantly affected. No significant differences in crude protein loss were observed among treatments with inlet moisture contents of 60% or lower. In conclusion, the multi-stage conveyor-type hot-air dryer and the proposed prediction model are suitable for drying Italian ryegrass at inlet moisture contents of 40% or lower and can be effectively applied under practical operating conditions. However, at inlet moisture contents of 60% or higher, improvements in airflow distribution within the dryer or the incorporation of moisture-dependent correction factors are required to enhance drying performance and prediction accuracy.
This experiment aimed to evaluate the growth characteristics and forage productivity of novel forage resources in order to cope with abnormal climatic conditions in Pungse-myeon, Cheonan City, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea from 2024 to 2025. Italian ryegrass (IRG), Perennial ryegrass (PRG)+IRG mixtures and Meadow foxtail (MF)+IRG mixtures sown on 26 September 2024 grew vigorously before and after winter, and exhibited strong cold resistance, achieving a 100% overwintering rate. At harvest, plant length of IRG, PRG+IRG mixtures and MF+IRG mixtures reached approximately 118 cm. The heading dates of IRG and MF+IRG (2 May) were 8 days earlier than that of tall fescue. The dry matter yield (11.5 ton/ha) of IRG single pasture did not differ significantly from that of MF+IRG and PRG+IRG mixture, but was 29~30% higher than that of MF and PRG single pasture (p<0.001). The crude protein content of IRG and MF+IRG mixture was 7.0%, which was lower than that of MF (9.6%) and tall fescue (9.0%). The total digestible nutrient content of MF+IRG mixture was 63.2%, slightly lower than that of IRG but higher than that of tall fescue. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that PRG+IRG and MF+IRG mixtures have strong potential as novel forage resources to mitigate cold damage of IRG under abnormal climatic conditions.
This study aimed to improve and refine climate exposure indicators developed in a previous study by incorporating and analyzing two years of Italian ryegrass field trial data from the Jinju and Jangheung regions. The objective was to evaluate the relationships between productivity and climatic factors. The field trial results demonstrated that plant height, fresh yield, and dry matter yield of Italian ryegrass was significantly higher in 2018–2019 than in 2017–2018. Precipitation and temperature during the winter and spring seasons of 2018–2019 were also greater than those recorded in 2017–2018. Correlation analyses revealed significant positive associations between productivity and precipitation in Oct, Dec, Feb, and Mar. Productivity was also positively correlated with mean temperature and mean minimum temperature in Oct, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, and Apr, as well as with growing degree days in Oct, Dec, Jan, Feb, and Mar. The climate exposure indicators derived in this study are expected to serve as valuable tools for predicting Italian ryegrass productivity and assessing vulnerability to climate impacts. Nevertheless, considering the complex interactions between climatic factors and field conditions, further refinement through additional experiments and analyses remains necessary.
Molecular markers have been widely applied in population genetics, diagnostic taxonomy, and genetic mapping, and they can also be used for classifying varieties of Italian ryegrass during field selection. In this study, genome-wide sequence information was generated for 10 Italian ryegrass cultivars (40 samples), including ‘Kowinearly’ (KW), using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis revealed that only three SNP loci were sufficient to distinguish KW from the other cultivars. Furthermore, 21 alternative barcode sets, each consisting of three SNPs, were identified. These SNP barcode sets provide a reliable criterion for cultivar discrimination in Italian ryegrass and can contribute to the protection of domestic varieties and the advancement of the forage industry in Korea. More broadly, the development of distinguishing markers across Italian ryegrass cultivars will enhance genetic resource identification and support the breeding of high-quality new varieties.
This study evaluated the growth characteristics, forage productivity, and feed value of three Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) cultivars ‘Earlybird’, ‘Green call’, and ‘Greenfarm2ho’ over two consecutive growing seasons. Growth traits such as cold tolerance, lodging resistance, disease resistance, and insect resistance were assessed, along with plant height. Forage yield was measured as both fresh and dry matter yields, and feed value was analyzed in terms of CP, NDF, ADF, DMI, DDM, RFV and CA content. Among the tested cultivars, ‘Earlybird’ demonstrated superior performance in several key traits. It showed the greatest lodging resistance and plant height, along with the highest fresh and dry matter yields, although differences in yield were not statistically significant. In terms of feed quality, ‘Earlybird’ had the highest CP (10.8%), lowest NDF (54.7%), and highest RFV (109), indicating excellent palatability and digestibility. ‘Greenfarm2ho’ showed intermediate values across all parameters, suggesting balanced productivity and quality. In contrast, ‘Green call’ showed relatively lower lodging resistance and feed value. Overall, ‘Earlybird’ was identified as a promising cultivar for forage production in temperate climates, combining stable yield performance with high nutritional value. These findings offer valuable guidance for cultivar selection in livestock forage systems aiming to improve both productivity and feed efficiency.
The experiment was conducted to determine the effects of nitrogen fertilizer levels on seed production of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in mountainous regions of Gangwon Province. The 'Green Call' variety of Italian ryegrass was sown in Pyeongchang, Gangwon in September 2021. The experiment consisted of three nitrogen application levels (100, 120, and 140 N kg/ha) and was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Harvest was carried out on June 28. The plant height was tallest in the 140 N kg/ha treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant. Lodging resistance, disease resistance and winter hardiness showed no significant differences among treatments, although severe lodging occurred in all plots. The average spike length was 54.77 cm, with no significant difference among treatments, while the number of seeds per spike was highest in the 100 N kg/ha treatment. Seed yield increased with higher nitrogen levels, with an average of 2,820 kg/ha (based on air-dry weight). The average dry matter content of seeds and straw was 56.70% and 38.80%, respectively, with no significant differences among treatments. The average dry matter yield of residual straw after seed harvest was 4,144 kg/ha, with the highest yield observed in the 120 N kg/ha treatment. Meanwhile, the feed value of the harvested straw did not differ significantly among treatments. The average contents of ADF, NDF, CP, IVDMD, and TDN were 43.04%, 70.63%, 8.65%, 52.77%, and 54.88%, respectively. In conclusion, the optimal nitrogen fertilization level for Italian ryegrass seed production through autumn sowing in the mountainous areas of Gangwon Province was found to be 120 N kg/ha.
This study was conducted to investigate the changes in seed productivity of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) according to harvest time after heading in a mountainous area of Gangwon Province. The Italian ryegrass variety ‘Greencall’ was sown in the fall of 2021 in the Pyeongchang region of Gangwon and harvesting was performed every 10 days from 30 to 60 days after heading.. The treatments consisted of four seed harvest times (30, 40, 50, and 60 days after heading), arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Plant height reached its maximum (93.0 cm) at 30 days after heading and subsequently declined with delayed harvest. Lodging resistance, disease resistance, and winter hardiness did not differ significantly among treatments, but lodging became more severe with time (rated 8∼9). Diseases were also more prevalent in the plots harvested 50 and 60 days after heading. The length of the spike was longest at 40 days after heading (54.33 cm), while the number of seeds per spike was lowest in the 60-day harvest plot (76 seeds/spike). The 1,000-seed weight was highest at 50 days after heading but decreased at 60 days. Seed dry matter content increased with delayed harvest, and dry seed yield increased up to 50 days after heading (3,742 kg/ha) but decreased at 60 days (2,442 kg/ha). The dry matter content of seed straw peaked at 50 days after heading, followed by a slight decline at 60 days, which was attributed to rainfall during the harvest period. Dry matter productivity was highest in the 50-day harvest plot. The feed value of seed straw decreased with delayed harvest, with an average Relative Feed Value (RFV) of 83. In conclusion, the optimal harvest time for fall-sown Italian ryegrass for seed production in the mountainous areas of Gangwon is 50 days after heading.
Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam., IRG) is a widely cultivated winter forage crop known for its high yield and nutritional value. This study evaluated the processing characteristics and feeding performance of IRG-based pellets in Hanwoo cattle (Bos taurus coreanae) and Korean native black goats (Capra hircus). IRG was harvested at the optimal growth stage and processed into two pellet formulations: IRG ≥80% (with up to 20% soybean meal) and 100% IRG. Feeding trials were conducted under ad libitum feeding conditions. Hanwoo cattle showed higher intake of 100% IRG pellets (7.9 kg/day/head) than IRG ≥80% pellets (7.5 kg/day/head, p<0.05), with similar average daily gain (0.9 ± 0.4 kg/day/head). Conversely, black goats exhibited significantly lower intake of IRG ≥80% pellets (54.6 g/day/head) compared to 100% IRG pellets (266 g/day/head), likely due to reduced palatability associated with soybean meal inclusion. These findings suggest that IRG pellets are suitable for Hanwoo cattle, while further optimization of pellet size and formulation is required to improve acceptance in goats. Future studies should assess long-term impacts on digestion, rumen fermentation, and metabolic responses.
This study quantitatively assessed the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events on the suitability zones and dry matter yield (DMY) of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in Korea. Baseline climate (2006–2015) and recent climate (2021–2023) conditions were compared using national meteorological and crop yield data. A significant decrease in total annual precipitation (−84.3 mm, p<0.001) was observed, while winter minimum temperatures showed a slight but statistically insignificant increase (+0.27°C, p = 0.111). Suitability zone classification based on agro-climatic zoning indicated regional shifts, particularly a decrease in the best suitable zones in 2021 and partial recovery by 2023. Dry matter yield increased by 31.6% in central Korea due to improved winter survival under warmer conditions, while southern Korea experienced a 9.4% yield reduction in response to a severe spring drought in 2022. Pearson correlation analysis showed a moderate positive but non-significant relationship between precipitation and yield (r = 0.518, p = 0.292), and multiple linear regression explained 97.9% of yield variation (R² = 0.979). Precipitation had a stronger explanatory effect than temperature, suggesting that water availability is a more critical factor for forage productivity. These findings provide scientific evidence of regional climate sensitivity and support future data-driven cultivation planning.
This study was conducted from 2022 to 2024 at the Grassland and Forage Crops Division, National Institute of Animal Science (RDA), in Cheonan, Korea, to develop a medium-maturing variety of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). The newly developed tetraploid cultivar, named ‘Spider’, is characterized by its green leaves, semi-erect growth habit in late autumn, and erect growth habit in mid-spring. With a heading date of May 16, ‘Spider’ is classified as a medium-maturing variety. Compared to the control cultivar ‘Kowinmaster’, ‘Spider’ has a 1.0 mm wider leaf blade, a 1.6 cm longer leaf blade, and is 5 cm taller in plant height. Its dry matter yield (10,169 kg/ha) is significantly higher than that of ‘Kowinmaster’ (p<0.05). The crude protein content of ‘Spider’ is 10.4%, which is 0.2% higher than that of the control. Additionally, ‘Spider’ has a neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content of 49.5% and an acid detergent fiber (ADF) content of 26.6%, showing a 2.2% lower NDF and a 0.2% higher ADF compared to ‘Kowinearly’.
Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) is an annual forage crop widely cultivated across the globe for its excellent nutritional value and high productivity. Despite its importance, studies on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in its morphogenesis remain limited. In this study, we employed a high-yielding mutant line developed through radiation mutagenesis to identify candidate genes associated with morphogenesis, focusing on Expansins (EXPs), GRFs (Growth regulating factors), GIFs (GRF-interacting factors), and growth hormone-related genes. RT-qPCR primers were designed, and differential gene expression analysis was performed. Gene expression was assessed in the leaves of seedlings at one to three weeks of age, comparing the control cultivar 'Kowinearly' with the mutant line. Expression patterns fell into four distinct categories: (1) genes consistently exhibiting lower expression in the mutant line across all developmental stages; (2) genes showing persistently low expression in the mutant, while the control displayed a sharp increase at early stages followed by a decline; (3) genes with low expression in the control but a marked early-stage increase in the mutant; and (4) genes with decreasing expression over time in the mutant, contrasting with gradually increasing expression in the control. These expression profiles highlight Actin and GRF6 as Group 1 genes, AXR1 (Auxin-resistant protein 1) and EXPB6 (c) as Group 2 genes, PEVMPP1 (Pyrophosphate-energized vacuolar membrane proton pump 1) as a Group 3 gene, and EF1A (Elongation factor 1-alpha) as a Group 4 gene, all of which are key candidate genes for the development of high-yielding Italian ryegrass cultivars.
This experiment was carried out to study the effect of elapsed time after air flow cutoff on the germination rate of Italian ryegrass seed with different moisture contents during natural drying on reclaimed land, Jangheung and Kimje of Korea from 2023 to 2024, respectively. Seeds with moisture contents of 15.3, 22.3 and 28.0% were placed in vinyl bag (30 × 40 cm) at storage thicknesses of 10, 15, and 20 cm, and air flow was cutoff for 48 h. Seed moisture content, seed temperature (℃) and germination rate were investigated at 12-h intervals. After 48 h of airflow cutoff during natural drying, seed moisture content did not significantly differ among storage thickness treatment (p>0.05). When Italian ryegrass seeds with moisture contents of 27~28% were stored under conditions with air flow cutoff at 15~20cm thickness for 48 h, the seed temperature reached up to 30℃ and the germination rate was excellent at around 70~80%.
This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of natural drying methods on the moisture content and germination of Italian ryegrass seed in Jicheon reclaimed land, Jangheung, Korea, from 2023 to 2024. The natural drying methods tested included seed spread thicknesses of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 cm; seed reversal frequencies of 1, 2 and 3 times per day; and two reversal methods: seed-only reversal and complete mixing of seed with a dry mat. The thinner seed spread thickness significantly accelerated moisture content reduction(p<0.001). However, the reduction in moisture contents due to the number and method of seed reversal was minimal, approximately 1%. Seeds initially having around 48.9% moisture content required 2, 4 and 5 days to reach a moisture content of 14% when dried at spread thickness of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 cm, respectively. Seeds with an initial moisture content of 23-26% required 1 to 2 days to reach 14% moisture content while maintaining approximately 80% germination rate under the tested natural drying methods. When seeds with an initial moisture content of 48.9% were dried at a spread thickness of 2.5 cm, the germination rate was 74.6%, which was significantly lower than the 83.8 and 81.6% germination rates observed for seeds dried at 5.0 and 7.5 cm thickness, respectively(p<0.002). These results suggest that for faster drying and higher-quality Italian ryegrass seed, harvesting at 30% seed moisture content, utilizing the cultivation field as a seed drying place, and applying a seed spread thickness of 2.5 to 5.0 cm are optimal practices.
Silage inoculants, which include beneficial microorganisms like lactic acid bacteria (LAB), play a vital role in modern silage production by enhancing fermentation quality. This study evaluated the effectiveness of various commercial inoculants on the fermentation dynamics of Italian ryegrass silage over 45 days. The treatments included a control group and five inoculant formulations: T1 (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum), T2 (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus), T3 (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactiplantibacillus buchneri), T4 (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lactiplantibacillus acidophilus and Lactiplantibacillus bulgaricus), and T5 (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus and Enterococcus faecium). After 45 days, all treatment groups exhibited significantly higher crude protein (CP) content compared to the control group (80.64 g/kg dry matter (DM), p<0.05). Treatments T2 and T5, which incorporated combinations of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Enterococcus faecium, showed higher CP contents at 105.53 and 107.05 g/kg DM, respectively. The inoculated silages also demonstrated a rapid pH reduction within the early days, with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in T1 reducing the pH to 4.0 within four days. Additionally, inoculated treatments had significantly higher lactic acid levels than the control (67.96 g/kg DM, p<0.05), and T3 (Lactiplantibacillus buchneri) produced higher acetic acid levels (16.07 g/kg DM, p<0.05) than other inoculants. The control group also had a notably higher ammonia nitrogen content. In conclusion, while single-strain inoculants like Lactiplantibacillus plantarum are effective for rapid acidification, the use of combined bacterial strains can further enhance silage quality by improving lactic acid fermentation and nutrient preservation, particularly in treatments like Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactiplantibacillus buchneri and Enterococcus faecium.
This study aimed to investigate the metabolic and morphological responses of Italian ryegrass to waterlogging stress during its early growth stage. Waterlogging increased the number of adventitious roots and root porosity, indicating an enhanced oxygen transport mechanism. Phenolic compound levels were increased in both leaf and root tissues under waterlogging stress compared to the control, suggesting the development of a non-enzymatic antioxidant system. Waterlogging treatment also increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels only in roots. Total soluble carbohydrates and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity increased under waterlogging stress, suggesting an increased activity of carbohydrate breakdown and energy conversion mechanisms. This study suggests that Italian ryegrass exhibits significant metabolic and morphological adaptations to waterlogging stress during its early growth stage. These adaptations demonstrate that Italian ryegrass has developed tolerance mechanisms to cope with such stress.
This study was conducted to investigate changes in the productivity of Italian ryegrass seeds according to the timing of harvest after heading in the southern region. The Italian ryegrass variety ‘Greencall’ was sown in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, in the fall of 2022. Four harvest timings were tested (30, 40, 50, and 60 days after heading), with a randomized complete block design and three replicates. Sowing in the test plots took place on October 10, 2022, and harvesting was carried out from 30 days after heading on May 18 to 60 days. The plant height was the longest (99.1 cm) in the plot harvested 30 days after heading and decreased as the harvest was delayed. No significant differences were observed among treatments in terms of lodging resistance, disease resistance, and cold resistance. However, lodging severity increased over time after heading (7∼9). Disease incidence was also higher in plots harvested 50 and 60 days after heading. The length of the spike was shortest (38.76 cm) in the plot harvested 50 days after heading, and the number of seeds per spike was the lowest (42 seeds/spike) in the plot harvested 60 days after heading. The dry matter content of seeds increased with the delay in harvest, while dry matter yield decreased, with the lowest yield observed in the plot harvested 40 days after heading (3,031 kg/ha, p<0.05). The dry matter content of seed straw was highest at 75.73% in the plot harvested 50 days after heading and dropped to 34.99% 60 days after heading due to rainfall. The dry matter productivity of the seed straw was the lowest in the plot harvested 40 days after heading. The feed value of the seed straw also decreased with delayed harvest, with an average RFV (Relative Feed Value) of 91. In conclusion, the optimal harvest timing for fall-sown Italian ryegrass intended for seed production in the southern region appears to be 30 days after heading.
Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is one of the most widely grown winter forage crops in Korea, but its yields are known to be greatly affected by drought that occur frequently in spring. This study aimed to compare the growth and tolerance response characteristics to drought stress in several Italian ryegrass varieties cultivated in Korea. Twenty-day-old Italian ryegrass was subjected to drought treatment for 4 days, and then the growth and physiological responses of the plants were compared. Drought stress reduced leaf length, fresh weight, and dry weight in all Italian ryegrass varieties compared to the control. In addition, chlorophyll content was significantly decreased in all varieties treated with drought stress, but Fv/Fm was significantly decreased only in Winter hawk. For H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, Winter hawk showed the highest increase and New dawn showed the least increase. In terms of relative water content (RWC), New dawn showed the least decrease and Winter hawk showed the greatest decrease. These results indicate that New dawn is relatively drought-tolerant and Winter hawk is a drought-sensitive variety, indicating that each variety of Italian ryegrass has different drought tolerance mechanisms, which may provide basic insight for the development of tolerant varieties in the future.
Italian ryegrass (IRG) has become a vital forage crop due to its increasing cultivation area and its role in enhancing forage self-sufficiency. However, its production is susceptible to environmental factors such as climate change and drought, necessitating precise yield prediction technologies. This study aimed to assess the growth characteristics of IRG and predict dry matter yield (DMY) using vegetation indices derived from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based remote sensing. The Green Leaf Index (GLI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference red edge (NDRE), and optimized soil-adjusted vegetation index (OSAVI) were employed to develop DMY estimation models. Among the indices, GLI demonstrated the highest correlation with DMY (R² = 0.971). The results revealed that GLI-based UAV observations can serve as reliable tools for estimating forage yield under varying environmental conditions. Additionally, post-winter vegetation coverage in the study area was assessed using GLI, and 54% coverage was observed in March 2023. This study assesses that UAV-based remote sensing can provide high-precision predictions of crop yield, thus contributing to the stabilization of forage production under climate variability.