During the last decade, grassland and ruminant production has changed from being an almost pure economic activity into a subject of public debate. This book contains 20 invited and 100 submitted papers concerning grassland production and utilization, nature conservation, environmental and socio-economic matters. All contributions were subject to peer review, so this text may be considered to be an up-to-date standard publication of relevance to scientists, teachers, extension officers, students, farmers' organizations, policy makers and anyone else who may be interested in the interface between grassland, animal production, the environment, nature and society.