Utilisation frequency was studied on three typical grasslands of Hungary between 2006 and 2012. One wet, one dry located lowland and one hilly, dry located grassland were studied. Grass yield, utilisation frequency and local weather conditions were monitored and correlations were studied.

Utilisation frequency was determined in three versions, when grasslands were utilised 2, 3 and 4 times a year, which fit to the utility of grasslands (reaping, meadow (reaping and pasturage) and pasturage). The experimental set was as follows: sample area was 4×4 m data were collected in 3 replicates, in block arrangements.

The highest yield (10.51 t ha-1) was produced beside meadow utility of 3 times a year in the wet region. This is proved by pair wise and annual comparisons of frequencies of utilisation. Three time-utilisation per year produced significantly higher yields than the other two one. The high yielding Festuca arundinacea was the dominant crop of the meadow, which was not able to achieve its maximum yield because of short regeneration time.

The highest dry matter yield (in yearly average) was produced by the 4-time-utility (Bösztör 3.20 t ha-1, Kisfüzes 3.53 t ha-1) on dry areas. The influence of rainfall on yield was more robust on dry areas than the impact of system of use. This finding was supported by the fact, that the yield of 2 and 3 time-utilisation systems in Bösztör were positively correlated to the amount of rain. Differences produced by the grassland utilisation frequencies disappeared in Kisfüzes in dry and almost arid years of 2011 and 2012. It could be observed that global radiation and temperature, independent of utilisation system, were negatively correlated to yield at the grassland of Kisfüzes. Risk of arid of such grasslands is quite threatening, the parallel rising of temperature and radiation results in decreased yield.

Keywords: grasslands, utilisation frequency, yield potential, crop yield, climatic factors