Richhill – the consistently strong performing new AFBI-bred ryegrass variety for Spring 2026
Date published:
The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is proud to introduce its latest new late-heading tetraploid perennial ryegrass variety Richhill at this year’s Royal Ulster Winter Fair on 11th December 2025. Developed through AFBI’s DAERA-funded Grass Breeding Programme at Loughgall, Richhill has achieved outstanding results in UK-wide trials and is now listed on both the Scottish SRUC Recommended List and the England & Wales Grass and Clover Recommended Lists for 2025/26.
The variety will be marketed through AFBI’s commercial partner Barenbrug UK Ltd and seed will be available in spring 2026, bringing the number of commercially released forage grass varieties from the AFBI Grass Breeding Programme, for use on farm across the UK/ROI over the past 25 years, to 40.
Richhill is a consistently strong performer across the season, delivering high annual yields of quality forage under both grazing and silage management. It’s standout strength though lies in silage production, where, according to the England and Wales Recommended Grass and Clover Lists, it achieves an impressive 112, compared with the mean of the control late-tetraploid varieties, for metabolizable energy yield across the first and second cuts—the highest of all late-heading tetraploid varieties. Richhill also tops the list for total yield under conservation management over three years at 108%, and its exceptional 1st cut performance of 123% sets a new benchmark for early-season silage productivity. This makes Richhill an outstanding choice for farmers focused on producing top-quality silage and maximizing overall forage output.
The advances represented by Richhill reflect AFBI’s continued commitment to breeding grasses that enhance local farm profitability while underpinning Northern Ireland’s sustainability and climate resilience ambitions.
“Our breeding programme focuses on delivering varieties that combine yield, quality and environmental resiliency. Richhill represents the next generation of perennial ryegrasses designed to meet the challenges of modern livestock systems,” said Gillian Young, AFBI Grass Breeder.
Notes to editors:
AFBI is an arms-length body of DAERA delivering research and development, diagnostic and analytical testing, emergency response capability and expert scientific advice for DAERA and other government departments, public bodies and commercial companies in Northern Ireland, and further afield.
AFBI’s Vision is “Scientific excellence delivering impactful and sustainable outcomes for society, economy and the natural environment”.
AFBI’s Purpose is to deliver trusted, independent research, statutory & surveillance science, and expert advice that addresses local and global challenges, informs government policy and industry decision making, and underpins a sustainable agri-food industry and the natural and marine environments.
AFBI’s strategic priorities:
- Leading improvements in the agri-food industry to enhance its sustainability;
- Protecting animal, plant and human health;
- Enhancing the natural and marine environment;
- Delivering quality outcomes and impact;
- Enabling world class science through excellence in people, places & technology.