NEW CULTIVARS GIVE BARENBRUG FORAGE SEED MIXTURES A BOOST

Two new forage grass varieties, Bartui and Ardress, will be available on a commercial basis in 2027, with their inclusion in Barenbrug’s grazing and silage seed mixtures improving outright yield, metabolisable energy yield and digestibility, as well as enhancing resistance to crown rust.

Bartui is a highly rated intermediate perennial ryegrass diploid which is a product of Barenbrug’s own global breeding programme. It was officially recognised in the 2025/26 Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL) for England and Wales.

The latest 2026/27 list reveals a grazing yield of 103%, a grazing D-value of 76.3, an ME yield of 102%, and a ground cover score of 73%, with Bartui producing high seasonal yields, particularly in the spring when growth is especially strong. This combination of traits ensures Bartui can be relied on to provide a consistent source of high quality, easily digestible fresh grass for grazing or for silage making.

Ardress, which was bred by AFBI (Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute) in Northern Ireland and is available exclusively via Barenbrug, is a late perennial ryegrass tetraploid which offers excellent all-around performance throughout the grazing season. It also appeared on the RGCL for the first time in 2025/26, and figures from the 2026/27 list show a grazing yield of 105%, grazing D-value of 77.3 and ME yield of 105%. It also scores a class-leading 70% for ground cover and a respectable 6.3 for crown rust resistance.

“Bartui and Ardress will both be available in a selection of specialist grazing and forage seed mixtures in 2027,” explains David Linton, Barenbrug’s Agriculture Commercial Manager in the UK. “Both cultivars are the product of Barenbrug’s commitment to breeding the next generation of varieties designed for healthier livestock, higher yields and improved herd performance in our evolving climate.

Bartui produces excellent ground cover to effectively suppress and out-compete weeds and is a strong performer at second and fourth silage cuts. And with a crown rust resistance rating of 7.5, it is one of the Recommend List’s most robust performers and is testament to Barenbrug’s vigorous testing and breeding programmes which focus not just on absolute yield, but also on viability, resilience and reliability.”

Ardress is a versatile all-rounder which produces impressive annual yields of high energy grass for grazing and, with strong first and second cut yields, is an excellent choice for silage making, David continues.

“Bartui and Ardress will both be included in Barenbrug’s flagship BarForage range in 2027, as well as a selection of other specialist forage mixtures which we will be formulating in conjunction with our distribution partners, to ensure their farming customers have access to the very best performing seed mixtures going forwards,” David concludes.

For more information visit the Barenbrug UK website at www.barenbrug.co.uk