The new grass breeding partnership between the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and grass seed company, DLF, will look to deliver solutions for farmers to help deal with future challenges, attendees at a launch event on Monday were told.

The new agreement kicks in during November and is due to last 10 years, with an option of a further five.

DLF Seeds has replaced Barenbrug as AFBI’s commercial partner, however, bringing a variety from initial breeding through to market is a long process, lasting 10 to 15 years and the early stages of the work remains publicly funded by DAERA.

“It is rare to see a public breeding programme – retaining that capability for NI is strategically important,” commented AFBI Loughgall grass breeder Dr Gillian Young on Monday.

Programme

That support is being provided via a new DAERA ADVANCE programme and its focus is on developing new perennial ryegrass varieties with improved resilience to drought, better nutrient use efficiency and enhanced forage quality.

Only a small proportion of varieties make it through testing, with DLF then supporting work to evaluate, multiply and produce seed that comes to market.

As a result, it will probably be a couple of years before the first new grasses start to emerge from the new partnership.

In the meantime, there are currently 25 AFBI-bred grasses on UK recommended lists and these will continue to be marketed by previous commercial partner, Barenbrug.

AFBI recruiting for new farmers’ forum

The Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is establishing a new farmers’ forum to broaden its engagement with farmers across NI.

According to AFBI, the new forum will be used to “represent the wider interests and perspectives of the farming sector”.

The 15-member group will meet four times each year and will represent a range of farming backgrounds.

Anyone interested in joining the group can access an expression of interest form on the AFBI website.

The deadline for submissions is midday on Friday 30 October.