Pastures continue to be of vital importance in New Zealand agriculture, as the basis of the production of animal products. To safeguard the highest level of efficiency, farmers, their advisers, and agricultural students must continually update their knowledge of the principles of pasture production. This book covers all aspects of pastures, their ecology and management. There are chapters on soil, climate, pasture plants, livestock production, pests and diseases of plants and animals of pastures, as well as the more specialized enterprises of seed production and hill country pastures. It has grown out of an earlier book, Pastures and Pasture Plants, first published in 1973 and revised in 1977, to take account of the scientific and technological advances of that time, and also the profound changes in approach, as a result of significant shifts in the economy. Pastures is essential for all those concerned with pastures and their management, whether farmers, advisers, students, or teachers.