Optimizing temperate pasture-based systems through strategic selection of forage plants.

This mini-review examines the history and evolution of temperate pasture forage plant selection, from the diverse meadow-inspired mixtures of the 17th century to the simplified perennial ryegrass-based pastures from the early 20th century onward. Climate change, environmental pressures, and market expectations have driven a renewed interest in diverse and alternative pasture systems as a means of enhancing pasture productivity and resilience. However, challenges persist regarding the scale, scope, and transferability of research findings to commercial grazing conditions. We propose a pragmatic, science-based framework that prioritizes functional trait diversity over species richness, guiding farmers to define clear objectives, identify constraints, and select a modest number of complementary species and cultivars based on site-specific conditions and management capacity. This approach recognizes that meaningful functional benefits arise from strategic species and cultivar selection rather than simply increasing species number. We review some existing forage selection tools, noting their value and highlighting their limitations in addressing diverse pastures and holistic environmental objectives. Future advances should integrate resilience traits, ecosystem services, and management considerations into decision-support tools that are co-developed with farmers, researchers, and rural professionals to ensure that biological complexity remains practical and economically viable within pastoral systems.