Pasture management directly affects sheep welfare through its influence on nutritional quality, parasite burden, shelter availability, and physical terrain safety.
Pasture management shapes the welfare environment sheep inhabit continuously. Heavily contaminated pasture exposes sheep to parasite challenge that causes anaemia, protein loss, and mortality. Inadequate sward management limits nutritional intake during critical periods including late pregnancy and lactation. Shelter access affects welfare during adverse weather. Active pasture management that balances grazing rotation, parasite control, and nutritional quality creates a welfare-positive environment.