pâturages

Pâturages, the plural of pâturage, are lands used for grazing livestock. They consist of natural grasslands or cultivated meadows and can be permanent or temporary. They provide forage for cattle, sheep, goats and other grazing animals, often complementing hay, silage or fodder crops.

Management focuses on sward quality and soil health. Permanent pastures are grazed repeatedly and improved with reseeding or legume introduction. Temporary pastures, or leys, are sown for a few years and used for grazing or hay. Rotational grazing, stocking rate control, and appropriate fertilization help maintain productivity and biodiversity.

Ecologically, pâturages support soil structure, water regulation and habitat for plants and invertebrates. When well managed, they can contribute to carbon sequestration in soils. Poor management risks overgrazing, erosion and loss of plant diversity. Economically, they underpin dairy and meat production in many regions and contribute to rural livelihoods and landscapes.

In France and much of temperate Europe, pâturages are integral to traditional farming, including alpine and upland systems where grazing aligns with haymaking and transhumance. The concept is broadly similar to pastures in English, though terminology and practices vary by country.