The impact of seasonal pasturage of traditional Czech Pied cattle on sward structure and plant species composition was surveyed in three submountain areas of the Czech Republic. A well integrated canopy with a total sward coverage ranging between 85 and 98% was found at all examined sites. Practised grazing intensity (0.6-1.0 LU ha-1) was in agreement with estimates of production capacity of pastures based on the reconstruction of potential natural vegetation. The profitability of seasonal pasturage in terms of milk production was examined in randomly selected samples of cows. Linear regression models were applied to compare individual milk yields during 6-month grazing and 6-month housing seasons. On average cows produced an additional 1.58, 2.93 and 1.02 kg milk per day in grazing season compared with housing season at farms of 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Farms 1 and 2 with annual milk production corresponding to average national production in this breed will serve as a model for future comparative studies aimed on sustainable multifunctional cattle husbandry in submountain regions of the Czech Republic.