From L-R, Kenny Coulter (Thompsons), David Linton (Barenbrug), Richard Moore (Thompsons), Gemma McHugh (Thompsons), James Black (Thompsons) and David Johnston (AFBI)
A group of technical representatives from John Thompson & Sons recently visited AFBI Loughgall to see some of the new varieties coming forward from the AFBI Grass Breeding programme. Thompsons grass seeds mixtures are comprised almost entirely on AFBI-bred varieties and they are sold extensively throughout Northern Ireland, where farmers appreciate the value of locally bred varieties.
For 2016, Thompsons included AFBI’s two new varieties Fintona and Moira which are proving very popular and for 2017, it is intended to include Glenarm, a new late diploid developed at Loughgall. All AFBI-bred varieties are marketed through an exclusive partnership arrangement with the Dutch company Barenbrug.