No.1 Recommended Grass & Clover Varieties for 2026

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Banbridge, Clodagh and Dungloe

The Pasture Profit Index (PPI) for 2026 has now been released, confirming the top-performing grass and clover varieties for Irish farming systems.

For 2026, Banbridge, Clodagh and Dungloe rank as the No.1 recommended grass and clover varieties on the official lists, based on independent, multi-year evaluation under Irish conditions.

These results give farmers confidence that they are choosing genetics proven to deliver higher output, better utilisation and stronger returns at farm level.

Independently tested. Proven on Irish farms.

The Recommended Lists are published by Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, following one of the most rigorous forage evaluation programmes in Europe.

Varieties are assessed through:

  • Trials across six geographic locations

  • Three simulated grazing sites and three silage sites

  • A dedicated cow-grazed evaluation site to assess real grazing behaviour

  • Multiple sowings and four years of harvesting

Only varieties that perform consistently across management systems, seasons and years achieve Recommended List status. This ensures on-farm reliability, not just trial plot performance.

Banbridge

The benchmark grazing variety for 2026 and beyond

Banbridge is a new perennial ryegrass for 2026 and is ranked No.1 on the Pasture Profit Index, with a total PPI value of €268.

It delivers exceptional performance across both grazing and silage systems, making it a highly versatile option for Irish farms. Banbridge was developed at the leading AFBI Grass Breeding programme based in Northern Ireland

Key performance traits:

  • Excellent graze-out, improving conversion of grass into animal output

  • Very strong spring growth, over 40% above the average variety, supporting early magic day

  • Leading Grazing Utilisation Index, reflecting ease of grazing and intake

  • Highest yield under silage management, adding flexibility within the system

  • Consistently high sward quality throughout the season

Banbridge combines output, utilisation and management ease, setting a new standard for grazing performance.

Understanding Grazing Utilisation

Grazing Utilisation is measured differently to standard cutting traits.

Rather than relying solely on harvested yields, dairy cows are allowed to freely graze replicated plots of different varieties within the same paddock. This provides a direct measure of:

  • How readily a variety is grazed

  • How easily it is utilised

  • How much corrective topping is required

Varieties with higher Grazing Utilisation scores are easier to manage, support higher intakes and contribute to improved animal performance. Banbridge leads in this area for 2026.

Clodagh and Dungloe

Next-generation performance in white clover systems

Clodagh and Dungloe represent a step forward in white clover genetics, delivering higher output with improved persistence in grazing systems.

Performance advantages include:

  • Around 10% higher grass and clover production compared to traditional varieties, at no additional cost

  • Reduced chemical nitrogen requirements, supported by stronger natural nitrogen fixation

  • Improved livestock performance, with animals typically 8–10% more productive on clover-rich swards

  • Excellent ground cover, supporting persistence under intensive grazing

Clodagh is the highest-yielding large-leaf white clover, while Dungloe leads among medium-leaf white clovers, offering flexibility across different grazing systems.

Proven breeding, trusted genetics

Clodagh and Dungloe were developed by Pasture Innovations, the forage breeding partnership between Teagasc and Goldcrop. The programme focuses on producing varieties suited to modern Irish grazing systems, with strong emphasis on persistence, utilisation and long-term performance.

Why these varieties matter for 2026

With margins under pressure and greater focus on efficiency, the choice of grass and clover genetics has never been more important.

Banbridge, Clodagh and Dungloe offer:

  • Higher output from home-produced feed

  • Better grazing utilisation and management ease

  • Reduced reliance on chemical nitrogen

  • Proven performance across a wide range of Irish conditions

They are not just top of the lists. They are built for how Irish farms actually operate.

Click here for seed mixtures including Banbridge, Clodagh & Dungloe