Oosterhout- Nijmegen, The
Netherlands
July 22, 2009
The new extended contract for
strategic grass breeding will further integrate the
Agri-Food and Biosciences
Institute (AFBI) and
Agricultural and Rural Development (DARD) research programme
of Loughgall - Northern Ireland with Barenbrug’s world-wide
breeding programme, providing novel forage grass varieties.
Progress
Barenbrug director Frank Barenbrug states: “When the original
contract was signed back in 1991, only one variety, Moy, was
commercially available but since then an extensive portfolio of
more than 20 varieties have been released that top the
performance charts. Forage grasses, bred by AFBI / DARD, have
consistently set new standards for grassland productivity over
the years.”
Changing circumstances
Climate change will place even more challenges on the grass
breeding programme. Frank Barenbrug praised the R & D programme:
“We are confident that with AFBI and DARD we are well placed to
meet these changing circumstances and continue to introduce
top-performing material, not only in terms of yield but also
with good disease resistance, palatability and digestibility.
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Pictured at the signing ceremony (left to right)
Barenbrug UK managing director Paul Johnson,
Barenbrug global research director Stefan van der
Heijden, Royal Barenbrug Group member of the board,
Frank Barenbrug, AFBI chair Seán Hogan, AFBI chief
executive Dr George McIlroy and AFBI deputy chief
executive Mike Camlin |
Royal Barenbrug Group:
Family owned global company with the core activities of plant
breeding, grass seed production and global marketing of grass
seed. With 500 employees and 23 subsidiaries in 13 countries on
five continents, Barenbrug is one of the leading grass seed
companies in the world for more than 100 years already.
Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI): Leading provider of
scientific research and services. With their unique breadth of
facilities and scientific capability in agriculture, animal
health, food, environment, biosciences and economics AFBI
conducts a wide range of valuable projects for both the public
and private sectors.
Department of Agricultural and Rural Development (DARD):
Department to assist the competitive development of the
agri-food, fishing and forestry sectors of the Northern Ireland
economy, having regard for the need of the consumers, the
welfare of animals and the conservation and enhancement of the
environment. |
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