Grasslands and forages play a particularly important role in an organic farming system. While providing feed and nutrition for livestock, they also contribute to the health of subsequent crops, sequester carbon, strongly influence the nutrient cycle, soil health, quality and biology as well as on-farm sustainability and biodiversity.

Often thought to be simpler to manage than crops, successful management and utilisation of forage is essential to optimise productivity and ensure livestock receive nutrient rich forages that minimise the need for external feed inputs. Overgrazing and ensuing physical damage, promote the matting of the crop and offer weeds, like dock, an opportunity to dominate. Careful grazing management should act as the cornerstone in creating and maintaining healthy grasslands.

On this page, you can learn about the management of temporary and permanent grasslands, as well as other forage crops, including hay and silage.