Advancements in Ryegrass Breeding for Enhanced Milk Production and Environmental Sustainability

Strategic Insights -

Perennial ryegrass remains a crucial component of dairy systems in the UK and Europe due to its improved digestibility, persistence, and management properties. The Agricultural Research and Development Institute (AFBI) has successfully developed new ryegrass varieties through its grass breeding program, enhancing yield, digestibility, persistence, and disease resistance. These advancements aim to increase profitability for farmers while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Castlewellan and Ardress, two new tetraploid ryegrass varieties, have been added to the 2025/2026 Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL), showcasing improved spring performance, yields, and above-average ME yield. These varieties are expected to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases and the growth of the dairy industry.

Key Takeaways:

  • The AFBI grass breeding program has developed 22 ryegrass varieties, including Castlewellan and Ardress, which offer improved spring performance, yields, and above-average ME yield.
  • Castlewellan is the top-performing variety for early grazing and grazing spring yield, producing 126% and 116% of the mean of the intermediate tetraploid control varieties, respectively.
  • Ardress is an excellent all-around performer, producing high annual yields of good-quality grass under both grazing and silage management, with a 107% and 108% increase in grazing ME yield and 1st and 2nd cut ME yield, respectively.
  • The development of Castlewellan and Ardress has taken up to 15 years, demonstrating the complexity of grass variety development.
  • The AFBI grass breeding research program will continue to explore novel techniques, such as genomics, to develop high-quality tetraploid pre-breeding material and target varieties with novel traits.

Statistics:

  • Over 70% of the 3000 tonnes of seed mixtures sold in Ireland contain one or more AFBI varieties.
  • In the UK, the AFBI grass breeding program has developed 22 ryegrass varieties.
  • Castlewellan and Ardress have been added to the 2025/2026 Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL).
  • The inclusion of Castlewellan brings the ratio of AFBI-bred perennial ryegrasses on the RGCL in the intermediate tetraploid category to 50%.
  • Castlewellan and Ardress offer improved spring performance, yields, and above-average ME yield, with the highest 1st and 2nd cut ME yield under conservation management.

Sources:

  • AFBI's grass breeding program.
  • Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL).
  • Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
  • Barenbrug UK Ltd.
  • IMAGE: https://imagestore.jpimedia.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjJkZGQ2YWZiLTZhOWEtNDhmYS1iOGFkLWE4OTBiZTk3ZTRiZDpjMDMxODI2OS05ZWE1LTQ4Y2MtOTVmMy1jMjU1YWUwYjcwYjA=.jpg