Banbridge – the new AFBI variety which is topping the charts in 2026

Date published: 13 February 2026

AFBI is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of Banbridge, one of its newest intermediate tetraploid perennial ryegrasses, on the Grass and White Clover Recommended List for Ireland 2026 publication produced by Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Banbridge is the number one–ranked perennial ryegrass on the 2026 Pasture for Profit Index, delivering an advantage of 55 Euro/hectare per year compared with other varieties, with a total PPI value of €268.

Developed through AFBI’s DAERA‑funded Grass Breeding Programme at Loughgall, Banbridge has delivered exceptional results in national evaluation, achieving a level of performance that represents an unusually large step forward compared with typical year‑on‑year genetic gains. Banbridge brings together a set of standout agronomic and utilisation traits into one variety, including excellent graze‑out, which improves the conversion of grazed grass into animal output, and very strong spring growth, delivering over 40% more early‑season dry matter than the mean of the other varieties, supporting earlier grazing and improved system flexibility. Banbridge performed strongly on the Grazing Utilisation Index reflecting its superior ease of grazing and higher intake potential. Alongside strong performance under silage management and consistently high sward quality throughout the season, Banbridge brings together output, utilisation efficiency and management ease in a way that sets a new standard for grazing‑focused perennial ryegrass performance.

Banbridge also features strongly in UK trials and continues to be commercialised through AFBI’s commercial partner, Barenbrug UK Ltd, where it is recognised as a flagship intermediate tetraploid variety with high conservation yield potential and strong spring grazing performance. Banbridge remains top of its class for conservation on the Recommended grass and clover lists for England and Wales, producing more 1st and 2nd cut ME yield than any other variety currently listed. Taken as a whole, the alignment between Irish and UK results for Banbridge indicate strong cross‑environment stability and robustness across contrasting evaluation systems and climates.

AFBI is also pleased to note the continued strength of Galgorm, another AFBI‑bred intermediate diploid perennial ryegrass, which ranks as the second‑highest variety on the 2026 Pasture Profit Index with a PPI value of €213/ha. Galgorm delivers an excellent balance of spring, summer and autumn growth and maintains good silage yield and high forage quality, reinforcing AFBI’s position as a leading source of high‑performing ryegrass genetics.

The advances represented by Banbridge and Galgorm reflect AFBI’s ongoing commitment to producing grass varieties that combine high forage output, climate resiliency and strong economic performance. Its unusually strong position on the 2026 lists demonstrates the impact of AFBI’s long‑term breeding strategy and the potential gains achievable when traits align favourably across both cutting and grazing systems.

“Our breeding programme continues to deliver varieties that combine productivity, quality and environmental resiliency. Banbridge’s performance — particularly the scale of its economic advantage — demonstrates how AFBI genetics can drive real progress for grass‑based systems,” said Gillian Young, AFBI Grass Breeder.

AFBI will continue to work closely with Barenbrug UK Ltd, who will supply Banbridge seed for Northern Ireland, and will be available at upcoming industry events to discuss this new variety and its supporting data.