Agronomic and environmental impacts of pasture–crop rotations in temperate North and South America

Summary

This narrative review synthesises literature from North and South America on pasture–crop rotation systems, finding consistent evidence that crops grown following perennial pastures show strong productivity gains, whilst perennial grasses and legumes enhance soil organic matter particularly in surface horizons and improve water infiltration and quality. The authors conclude that reintroduction of perennial phases into predominantly specialised cropping landscapes offers potential to restore soil carbon stocks, strengthen environmental resiliency, and align crop and livestock production within more integrated systems.

Regional applicability

Whilst the review focuses on North and South American systems, the principles of pasture–crop rotation benefits apply to United Kingdom temperate farming conditions, particularly in mixed farming regions. UK dairy and beef systems already employ rotational grazing; the findings support policy and practice favouring integrated crop–livestock systems over specialisation, though specific soil and climate contexts would require local validation.

Key measures

Crop yield following pastures; soil organic matter content; water infiltration rates; water quality indicators; greenhouse gas emissions; long-term soil productivity

Outcomes reported

The review synthesised evidence on agronomic productivity, soil organic matter, water infiltration, water quality, and greenhouse gas emissions across pasture–crop rotation systems in North and South America. It evaluated system-wide production and environmental quality outcomes from integrated crop and livestock farming.

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