pannage

Pannage is a traditional right of commoners to allow their livestock, typically pigs, to graze in woodland during a specific period. This practice is also known as "mast feeding" because the animals feed on fallen nuts, acorns, and other fruits from trees, collectively called mast. The timing of pannage is crucial, usually occurring in autumn when the mast is most abundant. Historically, pannage was a vital part of rural economies, providing a way for landowners and commoners to utilize woodland resources efficiently. For landowners, it helped manage woodland by clearing undergrowth and reducing the risk of destructive nut falls for timber production. For commoners, it was an important source of food for fattening pigs for winter consumption. The right to pannage was often established by custom or deed and varied in its specific regulations from place to place. It required careful management to prevent overgrazing and damage to young trees. In some areas, pannage rights have diminished with changes in agricultural practices and land ownership, but in others, they are still practiced, often as a way to preserve traditional woodland management and biodiversity.