This book contains a compilation of offered papers presented at the main congress of the XX International Grassland Congress held in University College Dublin, Ireland from 26 June to 1 July, 2005. It is complemented by six other books arising from the XX IGC as listed on the back cover: the book of invited papers from the main congress and five books containing the proceedings of five satellite workshops held immediately after the main congress at locations in the UK and Ireland (Aberystwyth, Belfast, Cork, Glasgow and Oxford). The workshops were designed to facilitate more in-depth presentations and discussions on more specialised topics of worldwide significance.

The main congress brought together scientists from many disciplines, policy makers, consultants and producers involved directly in grass production and utilisation, as well as people in associated industries. They discussed issues around the theme of the congress, Grasslands : a Global Resource. The congress programme was organised around three main thematic areas:
- Efficient Production from Grassland
- Grassland and the Environment
- Delivering the Benefits from Grassland

Other publications related to the XX International Grassland Congress:

• Grassland - a global resource
  Edited by D.A. McGilloway


• Utilisation of grazed grass in temperate animal systems
  Edited by J. Murphy


• Silage production and utilization
  Edited by R.S. Park, C.S. Mayne and T.W.J. Keady


• Molecular breeding for the genetic improvement of forage crops and turf
  Edited by M. Humphreys


• Pastoral systems in marginal environments
  Edited by J.A. Milne


• Optimisation of nutrient cycling and soil quality for sustainable grasslands
  Edited by S.C. Jarvis, P.J. Murray and J.A. Roker