The assessment of forage production on permanent grassland phyto-coenoses based on floristic sampling outlines an economic indicator necessary to establish optimal animal loading. The present paper is a case study for the upper and middle basin of the Timiş River in Banat (Romania), which presents 347 surveys of 27 associations belonging to 15 phyto-sociological alliances from the Semenic, Țarcu-Godeanu and Poiana Ruscă Mountains to the Lugoj Plain, on an altitudinal range of

100-2,190 m. In order to assess production, the grasslands were divided into three main physical and geographical categories, namely: sub-alpine and mountain meadows with an average yield of 3.2 t/ha useful phyto-mass (forage), hill and plain meadows with a production of 6.6 t/ha and flooding meadows, terraces and depressions with a yield of 11.4 t/ha fresh fodder. The most valuable grasslands used by grazing with animals (Al. Cynosurion and Agrostion stoloniferae) can produce 11.7 to 13.8 t/ha fresh fodder which can provide 146-230 kg/ha gain weight in calves and lambs in the optimal grazing season. The meadows used as hayfields (Arrhenetheretum elatioris, Ahopecuretum pratensis, Festucetum pratensis) provide very good yields of 16.8-19.0 t/ha fresh fodder. Several phyto-coenoses located in the sub-alpine level, those invaded by Nardus stricta and Vaccinium sp. in the mountain area or those located on land with permanent moisture excess achieve only 0.3-1.3 t/ha fresh fodder, being considered economically degraded. As a conclusion, the live gain weight of young grazing animals during the grazing season ranges from 20 to almost 200 kg/ha depending by the yield of fresh fodder/ha. This could be a good start for the practice of organic farming in the conditions of proper management. Knowledge of the forage yield of the grassland is extremely useful for drawing up pastoral facilities, preserving biodiversity, and protecting of the environment and pastoral landscapes.