Summary:

The aim of the study was to assess the rainfall deficits on two- and three-cut meadows the meadows in the vicinity of Bydgoszcz. The research was based on 34-year meteorological data gained from observations made in the years 1981-2014 at the Research Centre of the University University of Science and Technology in Bydgoszcz, located in the village of Mochle, about 20 km from the city center. When assessing the local agroclimate, we used average monthly air temperature and monthly precipitation totals. Calculated for the meadows rainfall deficits and surpluses allowed to estimate the moisture conditions during the growth of the sward on two- and three-cut meadows. The average rainfall total in the growing season is 313 mm and meets the needs of meadow sward at 73%. On the two-cut meadows the largest rainfall deficit occurred during the accumulation of the first regrowth of sward, and on the three-cut meadows in the second regrowth. On the basis of the ratio of the relative precipitation index RPI it was found that at the average rainfall deficit of 113 mm the frequency of occurrence in the category of years was for normal 29.4%, dry 32.4, and wet 38.2%. Rainfall deficits present in this region points out the need to establish and maintain efficient double-action drainage systems in order to provide the best possible conditions for production of sward on two- and three-cut meadows and motivation to change from the two-cut meadows onto three-cut meadows to enable the production of fodder of better nutritional parameters.