Current trends in livestock farming in Europe are causing a decline in the popularity of grazing systems for dairy cows. This paper presents an overview of dairy cow grazing in northwest Europe. The grazing system affects various aspects such as grassland productivity, animal welfare, environment, economy, labour and even society. Grazing has advantages and disadvantages. The importance attached to the various effects of grazing is very personal. It is shown that grazing for a limited part of the day scores well on the whole. In the end, the personal motives of the farmer will answer the question'to graze or not to graze'.