AFBI's Cutting-Edge Grass Varieties Power Dairy Farming with Sustainability

Every blade of grass tells a story. For Northern Ireland, grasslands are not just fields — they’re the cornerstone of its thriving dairy farming industry. With a climate perfectly suited for grass cultivation, Northern Ireland is on the cusp of a revolution in dairy production thanks to the Agricultural and Food Biosciences Institute (AFBI).

The King of Grasslands: Perennial Ryegrass

In Northern Ireland, perennial ryegrass stands tall as the champion of grass swards. Why? It’s not merely the lush green hue, but the myriad benefits it offers: unparalleled digestibility, persistence, and ease of management. Essentially, it’s the green gold of dairy farmers.

Genetic advancements in ryegrass are akin to uncovering layers of potential wealth for farmers. AFBI’s grass breeding program has been nothing short of transformative, introducing varieties that promise higher yields, better digestibility, and greater disease resistance. These varieties stand ready to shield Northern Ireland’s farms against the challenges of a changing climate. In fact, more than 70% of the seed mixtures sold locally contain at least one AFBI variety.

Introducing Castlewellan and Ardress: The Game Changers

The latest pride of AFBI’s cultivation efforts are two novel varieties: Castlewellan and Ardress. These new tetraploid ryegrasses are set to redefine productivity benchmarks. Castlewellan, with its unrivaled early grazing yield, recorded an astounding 126% of the mean yield of typical control varieties, positioning it as a top choice for early grazing. Meanwhile, Ardress promises consistent performance throughout the season, delivering high-quality yields under both grazing and silage management.

Their addition to the prestigious ²⁰²⁵⁄₂₀₂₆ Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL) not only underscores the significance of the varieties but amplifies AFBI’s successful breeding strategy.

Crafting the Future: AFBI’s Vision

Developing a new grass variety is no sprint; it’s a marathon spanning up to 15 years. For AFBI, this journey is intertwined with the essence of innovation, incorporating cutting-edge science like induced tetraploidization to elevate performance.

Looking ahead, AFBI’s grass breeding program at Loughgall — generously funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and in partnership with Barenbrug UK Ltd. — is set to embrace genomic technologies. The vision is clear: create grass varieties with novel traits tailored to specific farming needs, ensuring local farmers remain at the forefront of sustainable dairy farming.

A Greener Tomorrow

With these advancements, Northern Ireland’s grasslands are poised to become even more sustainable and productive, underpinning a dairy industry that promises profitability without compromising its environmental footprint. As stated in Farming Life, the AFBI’s developments signal a promising green revolution for dairy farming.

In this era, when every pasture is an opportunity, AFBI’s innovations ensure that Northern Ireland dairy farmers don’t just dream of greener fields — they grow them.