Irrigation of grasslands for sustainable grazing and yield optimization

Irrigation in grasslands reduces soil moisture deficits, boosts biomass and forage quality, extends grazing seasons, and enhances pest control. In Mediterranean regions like Italy, it supports high-value products such as cheese. Modern systems use sprinklers, sensors, and decision support tools like www.irisframe.it, which integrate weather data and crop coefficients. EU-funded initiatives such as SUPER-G (Horizon 2020) promote efficient water use. Despite challenges like water scarcity and high energy costs, adoption of automated, sensor-based systems is growing, especially in Northern Italy where ~31% of grasslands are irrigated. Irrigation is vital for climate resilience, maintaining productivity and soil organic carbon in drought-prone areas.