Book excerpt: There is magic in forages. It's the magic of sunlight, green leaves, and photosynthesis. This magic has created a vast array of plants that contain the protein, fiber, and starch upon which our livestock depend. The challenge is to make this magic work for you. We need to develop the skills and the knowledge to grow forages effectively and sustainably. This book offers a distillation of that knowledge for anyone interested in the modern concepts of grazing - especially for the grazier who raises livestock on forages.This is not a dry textbook or a collection homey anecdotes. Rather, we get under the hood with down-to-earth essays on the practical skills and underlying science. Sometimes with a bit of humor.This is a fun read. In sixty-two entertaining chapters, you'll find no-nonsense information on grazing techniques, forage growth, soil fertility, nutritional quality, hay and silage. You'll learn how to look at a pasture and know when to open the gate and what happens to forages during grazing. There's even a chapter on the forage nutrition of dinosaurs. And the last section of this book is special: a practical in-depth handbook on improved pastures. It's a systematic outline of the skills of Management Intensive Grazing.These pages will open doors to a wizardly world of forage skills. You'll gain knowledge that will enrich your days and help you make good decisions about your farm or ranch. This is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. And - grazier or not - you'll never again drive past a pasture without seeing it in a different light.