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Pasture is a land use type having vegetation cover comprised primarily of introduced or enhanced native forage species that is used for livestock grazing. Pasture receives periodic renovation and cultural treatments such as tillage, fertilization, mowing, weed control, and may be irrigated. Pasture vegetation can consist of grasses, legumes, other forbs, shrubs or a mixture. Pasture differs from range in that it primarily produces vegetation that has initially been planted to provide preferred forage for grazing livestock. The majority of these forages are introduced, having originally come from areas in other continents. Most are now naturalized and are vital components of pasture based grazing systems. Some common introduced forage species are tall fescue, orchard grass, red and white clover, and bermuda grass. Some cropland and pasture land has been converted to native warm season grasses such as switchgrass, bluestems, indiangrass, and gamagrass.
Pasture lands are found in all states of the United Stated and its territories. These lands comprise about 6%, or 119 million acres, of the contiguous 48 U. S. states.
Pasture lands provide many benefits other than forage for livestock. Wildlife use pasture as shelter and for food sources. Well managed pasture captures rainwater that is slowly infiltrated into the soil which helps recharge groundwater. Many small pasture livestock operations are near urban areas providing vistas for everyone to enjoy. Pasture is the basis of any livestock operation that is truly sustainable. It is especially important as livestock grazers continues to experience extraordinarily high fuel and other input costs.
Pasture Management
Cool season forages, which are recommended and established on much of the pasture land in the United States, rarely persists as a single species in pastures. Due to climate variation and pasture management, forage species composition often is in flux. The duration and number of grazing livestock significantly influences the persistence of one species over another. The introduction of other species can be beneficial as diversity can bring other nutritious sources of food for livestock. However, weed species can encroach and out compete desired forages. Legumes are seeded or are naturally established in most cool season pasture system. When managed properly, legumes provide needed nitrogen for grasses and protein for livestock. Warm season grasses are established for pastures in areas of the country where it is too hot for cool season grasses, where soils have less water holding capacity, or to fill a summer void when cool season grasses are less productive. Most pasture land consists of perennial grasses and legumes, but also annual grasses are often planted to achieve maximum yield for that season. To maximize production, fertility needs must also be met. Many pastures in the US are not meeting their production potential due to low fertility status.
Features
 Well-managed grazing-based dairies help protect soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources by maintaining permanent vegetative cover on the soil, increasing soil organic matter, improving the distribution of nutrients on fields, and reducing the potential for odors, spills, or runoff from concentrated animal housing, feed lots, and waste storage areas. Compared with traditional confinement dairies, grazing-based dairies have more wildlife, more diverse plant communities, and healthier cows with longer productive lives. In addition, grazing-based dairies often boost income by reducing feed, labor, equipment, and fuel costs.
 Forage suitability group descriptions (FSGDs) are interpretive reports which provide a soil and plant science basis for conservation planning on livestock operations where forage crops are grown. FSGDs identify adapted forage species, yearly forage production estimates, and distribution of production during the growing season. Additionally, FSGDs provide information on climate patterns, soil properties, and management interpretations. Information from the forage suitability group description is utilized during the conservation planning process to select appropriate forage species for pasture and hay planting and to develop livestock forage balance reports.
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