The aim of this paper is to show the evolution of Spanish ruminant production and future prospects. Spanish rangelands cover 18.440 thousand ha, 36.4% of the total Spanish surface area. However, Spanish livestock production is practised through intensive systems (pig meat and beef production, poultry production and dairy production, especially cows and ewes). Spanish rangelands are mainly used by beef cattle and meat-purpose sheep and goats. In Spain 9 main Geographical Zones (GZS) can be identified; the Northwest and North Zone, which corresponds to “Wet Spain”, and the Southwest and West of Spain endowed with abundant grasslands. The Spanish dairy cattle production, in general is becoming rapidly modernized, although in Spain milk production is making a loss. The main problem in this sector is the low price of milk, which moreover is greatly influenced by large agro food companies.  The Spanish dairy sheep production has been highly developed in the last decade by introducing the Assaf breed into intensive farming systems. The Manchego cheese (made from sheep milk) is the most important Spanish “Controlled Designation of Origin”, and represents 90% of Spanish cheese exports. More than 50% of Spanish goat milk is produced in Andalusia, but only 10% of the milk is processed there. In the sheep and goat meat sectors of Spain most of ruminant farms have abandoned their activity, even after the decoupling of EU aid. The sheep meat sector is currently quite well structured through cooperatives and there are several “Protected Geographical Indications”. Finally, in Spain a well-accepted type of cattle, aged 12-14 months, is produced intensively but the viability of this type of production depends essentially on the evolution of animal food prices, as with all types of ruminant production, which also depend on the trade regulations in the EU. In ruminant grazing systems, the evolution of production also depends on the appreciation of benefits (externalities) by the EU and society in general. Other factors, more farmer-dependent, are related to the structuring of each sector and the promotion of quality products. Diversification of farmer activities is another issue to be considered in an effort to reach farm viability.

Grassland communities in Poland require active protection due to their anthropogenic origin. There are 23 National Parks (NP) in Poland which together cover 1% of the country. Succession is remarkable problem at the national parks with high proportional cover by wetlands. Extensive grazing is a crucial factor which decides about biodiversity in the landscape. At the most of protected areas in Poland cattle and horses are used whereas - in the mountainous region – sheep mainly. These species visibly differ in the way of their preferences for taking various plants and in height of the cut made. Very useful are native breeds like Konik horses or Polish Red Cattle, which are well-adapted to difficult environmental conditions. Grazing at the protected areas, except restoring and maintaining nature values of grasslands also has cultural meaning in order to ensure local tradition continuity.

This work shows achievements and new tendencies in grasslands management with reference to the past and present situation. Grassland area has recently decreased but it has been observed first of all in pastures case. Grazing seems not as important for animal feeding (especially dairy cows ) as before and grasslands are turned to arable land. The problem of natural succession and lack of utilization causes that about 20 % of permanent grasslands are not harvested for forage production. Hay is still dominated form of forage conservation, silage making starts to be more popular but that system has been adopted mostly in large farms. Grassland yields are about 4 tonnes of dm per ha which means it is below expectations and productivity potential. Grasslands in Poland are treated not only as a source of food for domestic animals but as an important part of landscape and environmental friendly policy. It is probably a challenge for grass farmers in future but some new management systems should be established for different purposes.