Forage quality and yield of Sal Pasture (Rize, Türkiye)

Summary

This field study characterised the forage quality and productivity of Sal Pasture in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey across two growing seasons (2023–2024). Average fresh yield was 721.50 kg/da with moderate crude protein content (13.27%) and digestible energy of 2.83 Mcal/kg. The findings demonstrate inter-annual nutritional variability and provide baseline data on mineral composition and relative feed value for livestock grazing potential in this region.

Regional applicability

This study is specific to a semi-natural mountain pasture in north-east Türkiye and the results are not directly transferable to UK conditions; however, the methodology and findings on inter-annual yield variability in upland semi-natural grasslands are broadly relevant to UK upland and hill farming systems, particularly in Wales, Scotland, and northern England where similar management challenges apply.

Key measures

Fresh herbage yield (kg/da); dry matter yield (kg/da); crude protein content (%); acid detergent fibre (%); neutral detergent fibre (%); ash content (%); metabolisable energy (Mcal/kg); digestible dry matter (%); relative feed value; mineral concentrations (phosphorus %, potassium %, calcium %, magnesium %); calcium-to-phosphorus ratio; potassium/(calcium+magnesium) ratio

Outcomes reported

The study measured forage yield, dry matter content, crude protein, fibre fractions, digestible energy, and mineral composition of Sal Pasture over two growing seasons (2023–2024). Statistically significant inter-annual variation in yield and nutritional parameters was documented, with fresh yield declining from 748.00 kg/da in 2023 to 695.00 kg/da in 2024, and the K/(Ca+Mg) ratio decreasing from 0.81 to 0.72.

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