Grasslands for Production and the Environment

Key points 1. To manage grasslands for production and enhanced environmental values requires a redefinition of the frameworks within which management decisions are made, and a tailoring of practices to suit the ways that farmers operate. 2. Improving the perenniality and permanence of grasslands usually leads to better environmental and production outcomes. 3. There is a case for a more conservative approach to utilising grasslands in order to sustain the functioning of local ecosystems and to improve water quality, nutrient and energy cycling and biodiversity. 4. A landscape rather than paddock focus is more appropriate for meeting current grassland management objectives. Grasslands can be triaged to better focus R&D and management, though this could challenge society’s preferences for products from more environmentally friendly ecosystems. 5. There is a need to find payment and/or market systems that mean environmental values are enhanced and farm income does not suffer