Grasslands reported on in various stages (5)

I believe the answer is:

steps

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'stages' is the definition.
(both can mean parts of a process)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for steps that I've seen before include "Procedures" , "Measures taken" , "Small ladder" , "John Buchan used 39 of them" , "Stiles" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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