Assessment of Nutritional Characteristics and Mineral Composition of Badara Plateau Pasture, Çamlıhemşin, Rize, Türkiye

This two-year study (2023–2024) aimed to evaluate the forage quality and nutritional composition of the Badara Plateau pasture, a high-altitude rangeland located in the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize Province, in northeastern Türkiye. Plant samples were systematically collected from twelve distinct sites during July of each year, coinciding with peak biomass production. The samples were analyzed for crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent protein (ADP) and key macro minerals (P, K, Ca, Mg) using Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS). In addition, several derived nutritional parameters were calculated, including digestible dry matter (DDM), dry matter intake (DMI), relative feed value (RFV), digestible energy (DE), and metabolizable energy (ME). The average dry matter yield was 92.04 kg da-1. The average CP content was 16.14%, reflecting a high nutritional quality of the forage. Fiber content, represented by ADF (31.99%) and NDF (66.08%) values, indicated moderate digestibility and intake potential. The mineral analysis revealed adequate levels of essential macro elements, with balanced Ca/P (5.21) and K/(Ca+Mg) (0.91) ratios. Overall, the findings of this study offer critical insights into the nutritive value and potential carrying capacity of the Badara Plateau rangeland and can inform the development of sustainable grazing strategies for comparable alpine ecosystems in the region.