AFBI and DLF Seeds Announce New Strategic Forage Grass Breeding Partnership

Working together, AFBI and DLF will support the development and commercialisation of improved perennial ryegrass varieties for farmers across Ireland, both north and south, and the UK, with a focus on productivity, resilience and adaptation to climate change.

Across the UK and Ireland, farmers are facing increasing pressure to improve productivity while reducing environmental impact. The partnership will place strong emphasis on breeding varieties to support farmers in managing these challenges and ensure greater profitability.

The new commercial contract marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for AFBI’s site in Loughgall, Northern Ireland, which is one of Europe’s oldest and most respected forage breeding programmes. For more than 70 years, the site has been developing varieties specifically adapted to the climate in Northern Ireland, Ireland and Britain. The forage grass breeding programme has long been supported by strategic funding from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

Lee Wilson, General Manager, DLF Ireland, said: “We are incredibly proud to have secured the AFBI contract. This is far more than a commercial agreement; it is a long-term commitment to the future of forage breeding for Northern Ireland, Ireland and Britain. AFBI has built an exceptional reputation for developing varieties which consistently deliver value to farmers.

“Our ambition is simple, to invest in breeding solutions that improve farm productivity, profitability and sustainability locally.”

Under the new partnership, DLF Seeds will support the evaluation, multiplication, production and commercialisation of future AFBI-bred forage varieties locally and internationally. The partnership will provide a sustainable commercial model which will help ensure the continued development of improved forage genetics for generations to come.

“By working together, we will be able to ensure Northern Ireland’s farmers continue to benefit from locally bred and adapted varieties. This partnership will also extend the reach of AFBI-bred varieties to more farmers while continuing to develop grasses that deliver real benefits."

Under the new partnership, DLF Seeds will support the evaluation, multiplication, production and commercialisation of future AFBI-bred forage varieties locally and internationally. The partnership will provide a sustainable commercial model which will help ensure the continued development of improved forage genetics for generations to come.

Professor Elizabeth Magowan, Director of Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences at AFBI, said: “Thanks to DAERA’s underpinning funding and the highly skilled grass breeding team at AFBI Loughgall, AFBI varieties are well known for their superior yield, persistence, disease resistance and forage quality, helping livestock farmers maximise productivity from their grassland.

“A total of 25 AFBI-bred perennial ryegrass varieties are currently represented on UK and Irish recommended lists.

“As livestock farming adapts to changing weather patterns and economic pressures, grass remains one of farmers’ most important resources.

“Continued genetic improvements will play an important role in maintaining productivity, improving forage quality and building resilience within grassland systems.

“We look forward to working in partnership with DLF to further build our programme.”

DLF's extensive breeding network, international research capability and commercial infrastructure will complement AFBI's local breeding expertise, allowing future successful varieties to reach farmers efficiently while maintaining a strong focus on the needs of the domestic market.

The collaboration also creates opportunities to evaluate future breeding material across a wider range of environments, helping ensure varieties are selected not only for yield, but for long-term resilience and sustainability.