Temperate grasslands that are actively managed by grazing or cutting span roughly one-quarter of the Earth’s land surface. They are fundamental to livestock agriculture, supplying nearly half of all the feed consumed by farmed animals. Their crucial role in food security is underscored by their contribution to human nutrition, supplying approximately 15% of global energy and 25% of protein consumption (FAO, 2009; Herrero et al., 2013). Despite their vital importance, traditional grass-based livestock systems face mounting environmental challenges. In regions where grasslands dominate the agricultural landscape, such as Ireland (75% of Utilised Agricultural Area; Eurostat, 2023) and New Zealand (64% of Utilised Agricultural Area; Pearson, 2020), management practices signifcantly infuence environmental outcomes and the ability to meet sustainability targets. These systems account for 12–19% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through multiple pathways: enteric methane from livestock, nitrous oxide released from fertilisers and manure, and carbon dioxide from land-use changes (Vermeulen et al., 2012). Climate change further compounds these challenges, with rising temperatures and increasingly frequent extreme weather events threatening system resilience (Durack et al., 2012). This convergence of environmental impacts and climatic vulnerabilities underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to grassland management – one that enhances sustainability, improves effciency, and builds resilience for the future.