Pastureland

Pastureland is agricultural land used primarily for grazing livestock and forages produced on site. It includes permanent pastures that persist for multiple years and temporary pastures established for a single season. Pasture can be natural or improved through sowing high-yield forage species and applying inputs such as lime and fertilizers.

Management aims to sustain animal production while protecting soil and biodiversity. Common practices include rotational grazing, stocking density control, reseeding, and weed management. Supplemental irrigation or drainage, lime and fertilizer applications, and occasional mowing or haymaking may be used to maintain forage quality and availability.

Pasture systems influence soil health, erosion control, and carbon dynamics. Well-managed pastures can enhance biodiversity and water infiltration, while poorly managed systems risk soil degradation, nutrient runoff, and reduced productivity. Productivity depends on climate, rainfall, soil type, and the choice of forage species.

Pastureland provides feed for ruminant livestock and supports rural livelihoods. Its economics depend on land value, forage quality, climate, and market prices for meat and dairy products. Globally, pasture is common in temperate regions and parts of the tropics, with systems ranging from extensive open-range grazing to intensified paddock-based management.