The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is confirming that it will continue to have full use of the grass genetics developed over recent years.

Recent days have seen seed company DLF unveiled as AFBI’s new commercial partner with respect of the institute’s grass breeding programmes.

It follows a collaboration over many years with Barenbrug.

An AFBI spokesperson confirmed that AFBI retains access to the genetic material associated with grass varieties developed through the partnership with Barenbrug.

“For clarity, we also wish to clarify, AFBI-bred varieties currently marketed by Barenbrug will continue to be available to farmers through Barenbrug.

"In addition, further AFBI-bred varieties may continue to be released under existing commercial arrangements with Barenbrug in the coming years.

“AFBI's grass breeding programme will continue to develop new varieties under the partnership with DLF", the spokesperson said.

Loughgall

AFBI’s grass varietal development and commercial trial work is centred at its long-established site near the village of Loughgall in Co. Armagh.

Current breeding programmes are focussed on the development of new varieties that will deliver improved sustainability for all ruminant farming enterprises.

Large numbers of grass varieties bred by AFBI over recent years feature in both grazing and silage seed mixes that are used throughout the UK and Ireland.

Loughgall has been used as a grass breeding centre for over 70 years.

The priorities of the current grass breeding programme include the development of new varieties that will deliver improved yield, persistence, resistance to diseases, and nutritional quality. 

Meanwhile, across the UK and Ireland, farmers are facing increasing pressure to improve productivity while reducing the environmental impact of their businesses.

It is now anticipated that DLF will partner with AFBI in ways that fully complement the institute’s successful grass breeding programme.

DLF will make available its international expertise in variety development, grass seed genetics and grassland innovation.

Working together, AFBI and DLF will support the development and commercialisation of improved perennial ryegrass varieties for farmers across Ireland, both north and south, and the UK, with a focus on productivity, resilience and adaptation to climate change.

Under the new partnership, DLF Seeds will support the evaluation, multiplication, production and commercialisation of future AFBI-bred forage varieties locally and internationally.

The partnership will provide a sustainable commercial model which will help ensure the continued development of improved forage genetics for generations to come.