The cultivars currently being developed will only become available in 2024
90,000 tonnes of seed worldwide. Breeders benefit from
resources and freedoms unique to Barenbrug. In particular, cross-continent research stations operate on an independent basis, meaning each site can develop innovative and well- adapted species and cultivars to suit their climatic zones. This information is also shared across the group so that different countries and climates can benefit from the latest breakthroughs. Breeders are also free to
search for new species and make new plant collections, with exchanges taking place between nine programmes. This means that they are able to work with a top- performing gene pool and introduce new materials and characteristics to the amenity turf market as well as continually improve and refine existing ones. During the breeding
process, thousands of progenies are produced from each crossing as a breeder attempts to isolate or enhance a desirable characteristic. It is a process of trial and error and, roughly speaking, perhaps only one or two out of every thousand are selected for preliminary trials. To begin with, these
progenies are put to the test in private ‘pot’ trials - a breeder literally pops them in a plant-pot to see how they fare. If a progeny shows promise, trials escalate through various levels to the official testing stages, such as the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) trials partnership here in the UK. The company is now able to conduct its own trials due to the recent establishment of its own research station at Cropvale in Worcestershire. These trials will also include mixture trials, furthering their understanding of how cultivars react in mixtures and the importance of
mixture synergy. Seed production
Seed production commences with just a handful of seeds of the new cultivar. Small blocks of 2,000 to 4,000 individual plants are then grown to produce the breeders’ seed (approximately 60 to 80kgs) in isolation from other cultivars to avoid cross- pollination.
The first harvest is then sown in rows to produce pre- basic seed and, in turn, the pre-basic seed harvest is used to produce basic seed. Basic seed is then supplied to selected growers to produce certified seed for use in mixtures. Each step of the seed production process is carefully monitored through seed legislation to ensure certification of the final crop. It goes without saying that
growing a grass crop in the climatic zone where it is intended to be used brings clear and accepted advantages which have, in fact, been proven for the forage market. The ability to breed, trial and then produce in harmony with UK conditions helps to quickly and effectively meet the needs of the changing UK climate. Importantly, all the company’s seed production is produced to the Higher Voluntary Standards (HVS), which is unique to the UK in guaranteeing a higher level of purity and freedom from weed seeds than European Union standards. The company aims to surpass those standards in most cases.
The production of seed
crops must adhere to current legislation and each step is closely monitored by the National Institute of Agricultural Biology (NIAB) to ensure that regulations are being followed.
Experienced farmers are used to growing seed crops
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