The Royal Barenbrug Group, a world leader in grass technology, is investing in a new laboratory for climate-resistant grass solutions, using seed technology to tackle ongoing issues including extreme weather, nitrogen emission problems, biodiversity, and soil fertility.
Grass is more than 'nice-to-have' greenery in gardens: with its ability to feed livestock and enable activities like sport, it is arguably the world's most important crop. Accordingly, scientists around the world are developing sustainable grass solutions to accommodate extreme rainfall and ensure grass growth during extreme drought. Alongside this, these solutions also aim to improve soil fertility, reduce the use of scarce minerals like phosphate and soy in animal feed, and reduce the need for disease control.
Now, in a brand-new grass seed laboratory in Nijmegen, the Barenbrug Group is developing organic grass seed technology. Seed germination and emergence are supported with organic matter, including bacteria, enzymes, and other organisms. In addition, Barenbrug is working to improve the immune system of young grass, as well as its moisture absorption and root development.
The new laboratory is one of three Centres of Excellence for Seed Enhancement within the Barenbrug Group R&D department. Seed technology and plant breeding form the basis of Barenbrug’s mission: ‘to increase animal productivity to help feed the world and enhance the enjoyment of green spaces’.
Helmig Spijkerboer, Global Production Manager for the Barenbrug Group: "With this facility, we are investing in the safety and security of grass for sports fields, lawns, and cattle pasture that can emerge and grow under extreme conditions."
