pâturage

Pâturage is land used for grazing livestock, typically pasture grasses and herbs consumed by cattle, sheep, goats, and other ruminants. It can be permanent or temporary and may be natural or cultivated. The term derives from Old French pâture, from Latin pastura, related to "pasture" in English.

Types of pâturage include permanent pasture, which is intended to remain productive for many years, and temporary or rotational systems where the land is grazed cyclically or used for hay production. It also distinguishes between natural or semi-natural pastures and cultivated pastures (composed of sown grasses and legumes). Silvopasture integrates woody plants or trees with grazing land.

Management practices influence forage supply and land condition. Key factors include stocking rate, rotation, rest periods, and reseeding. Practices such as rotational grazing, controlled mowing, and legume incorporation (clover, alfalfa) can improve yield and soil fertility. Nutrient management and water availability affect productivity, and soil health benefits from balanced fertility and appropriate drainage.

Environmental and economic aspects: well-managed pâturage can support livestock feed with lower inputs than annual forage crops and can contribute to biodiversity, soil structure, and carbon sequestration. However, overgrazing can cause erosion, weed invasion, and reduced carrying capacity, highlighting the need for monitoring and adaptive management.

In many temperate regions, pâturage is central to beef, dairy, and sheep production; its management intersects with agricultural policy and land-use planning, with variations driven by climate, soils, and farming systems.