Introduction

We’re often asked, what is the best endophyte? After more than 30 years of research and development, we can tell you it’s not simple.

What we’re seeking is the best pasture to match your individual needs. For us, that means matching the right plant genetics with the right endophyte, to create a partnership with real synergy.

 

No one size fits all

Different strains of endophyte vary in their effect on ryegrass. In one case we even found a parasitic endophyte! It significantly reduced ryegrass yield and health, and made it more susceptible to disease, disastrous effects we do not want on farms.

Other endophytes seem to do nothing; or decrease winter growth, or can increase autumn growth.

 

Teamwork makes the dream work

This autumn we’re releasing NEA12 endophyte in Shogun, because we’ve found this particular combination is a 'marriage' that excels. Shogun NEA12 has shown an average of 8% greater DM yield than the Shogun NEA combination we first bred.

 

Plant breeding produces about a +1%/year yield increase, so this is equivalent to 8 years of genetic gain in one hit.

By contrast, we recently released Forge ryegrass with NEA, because this is the right team for best performance. We put NEA12 in Forge and it yields 5% less.

These dynamic relationships are why we have the widest range of endophytes with NEA, NEA2, NEA4, AR1, AR37, and now the new NEA12 on the market – we want you to get the best result that comes from creating ryegrass/endophyte teams that gel.

 

Molecular analysis

Our 30-year plus endophyte R&D programme began with a chance discovery in ryegrass seed collected by hand in Spain, and has now progressed to cutting edge biotechnology.

Using next generation sequencing, we have genotyped over 400 potential new endophytes.

Candidate novel endophytes are then biochemically screened for suitable alkaloid profiles. Any endophytes that make it to commercialisation are genotyped and molecular markers developed so that their presence can be easily detected in seed lots.

 

Insect screening

For new strains, Barenbrug assesses insect control in early stages of NEA endophyte development.

 

Animal health

Lambs are used to test new endophytes for animal health, as they are more sensitive than cattle. Under careful supervision and strict animal ethics standards, separate mobs are set-stocked for up to 8 weeks at the height of summer on pure swards of perennial ryegrass deliberately allowed to become overgrown and stalky to maximise production of the endophytes’ chemical defenses.

 

Field testing

Commercial field tests are also used to reflect real world conditions. Many trials are run on farms selected for known pasture persistence problems. Insect issues combine with climatic stress and typically over-grazing to further test endophyte performance.

 

Supply chain

Once a suitable endophyte is released, great care is taken to ensure purity and endophyte levels throughout the seed production process. Post-harvest, specialised cool storage plus just-in-time delivery ensure the best quality seed arrives on farm.