Genetic modification has been extensively used in crops for 25 years but has rarely been a technology used to advance trait expression in forage and grassland species. The exceptions are the use of herbicide tolerance and low lignin traits in alfalfa which are currently commercially available. In crop species genetic modification has been a valuable option for delivering improved economic and environmental outcomes through providing solutions for many of the challenges facing mankind. There are a many beneficial characteristics that genetic modification has the potential to provide in forage and grassland species. Managing these in the environment and understanding consumer views on their use with ruminants and grazing animals is important for their success. Additionally, forage and grassland species provide some challenges for the use of genetic modification including their outcrossing and perennial nature, and often they are associated with or derived from species that can be categorised as weeds in some environments. However, with documented benefits of genetic modification use in crop plants providing increased crop yields, reduced pesticide and insecticide use, reduced carbon dioxide emissions, improved soil structure, improved crop nutritive quality/value, and decreased costs of production it would be remiss to not further examine the use of genetic modification in forage and pasture species
