Grass and forage seed company Germinal has announced a significant new investment in its research and development (R&D) division.
Germinal Horizon has research centres at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) at Aberystwyth University and Wiltshire.
Researchers at Germinal Horizon and IBERS have developed many of the leading grass and clover varieties available to farmers.
This team has also developed the DoubleRoot hybrid clover and RedRunner, a stoloniferous red clover.
Investment in forage harvester
Germinal Horizon has taken delivery of the Haldrup F-55 forage harvester, which is manufactured in Germany and designed specifically for research purposes involving field trials.
With an investment of £250,000, Germinal has said that the Haldrup F-55 is a unique piece of research equipment with a cutting width matched to standardised replicated trial plot sizes.
It incorporates on-board NIR spectrometry which gives instant feedback on the quality and composition of trial plots as they are harvested.
The technology allows for real-time sampling of key nutritional and quality parameters, including protein, fiber and carbohydrate/sugars content of harvested plots.
Germinal also announced increases to its team of researchers at Germinal Horizon engaged in the development of new clover and grass varieties at Aberystwyth University.
The full Germinal Horizon team based at Aberystwyth and Wiltshire now totals 18, which includes research scientist positions focusing on clover breeding and several new technician positions.
Trial site
Meanwhile, Germinal has also announced that Germinal Horizon Aberystwyth has been selected as trials operators to assess forage crop varieties for recommended use in England and Wales.
The selection follows a competitive tendering process run by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) which oversees the testing and recommendation of varieties for inclusion in the National Recommended List of Grass and Clover Varieties.
Commenting, managing director of Germinal UK & Ireland, Paul Billings said: “Scientific breakthroughs built on high quality research hold the keys to many of the production and sustainability challenges facing farmers and food producers.
“As a breeder of grass, clover and other crop species, our research work is fundamental to what we do and our ability to support ruminant livestock farmers, helping them compete and farm in a climate smart way.
“This demands that we support and develop our research teams and give them the tools they need to make a difference, which we are committed to and delighted to do.”
