Grazinglands, forages, and livestock in humid regions

Grassland agriculture is a farming system that utilizes grasses and legumes for livestock feeding and for land management. About 587 million acres of the 1,900-million-acre humid region land area in the United States is used for pasture. Changes in agriculture since the late 1940s began with the application of modern technology to agriculture. Farms often used both tractors and horses to supply power. Beef production systems use grasslands more than do dairy production systems. Permanent pastures are often on rocky or erodible landscapes. Grazing methods vary depending on the type of pasture available and goals of the producer. Although forage yield is an important consideration for farmers, forage quality is equally important because it greatly affects animal performance. Pennsylvania’s humid weather and frequent rains in the summer create a challenge for hay producers to make hay. Total hay and pure alfalfa hay acreages have declined over time.