Research & development
Teagasc Forage Breeding Program
Goldcrop is proud to partner with the Teagasc Forage Breeding program for Irish and International.
Teagasc Forage Breeding Programme | Teagasc Oakpark | Carlow | Ireland
Key Facts on the Teagasc Breeding Program:
- Teagasc Forage Breeding program has a long tradition of variety development since it was started in the 1960’s at Teagasc OakPark Co. Carlow
- The program has successfully developed Perennial Ryegrass, White Clover and Red Clover varieties
- Breeding and evaluation activities are conducted under Irish condition, with suitability to Irish climate and Irish farming systems top priority
- Main traits for breeding include Seasonal Dry Matter Yield, Quality, Silage Dry Matter Yield, Disease Resistance, Grazing Preference and Persistence
- Perennial Ryegrass and white clover have performed extremely well under independent trials conducted by Department of agriculture across Ireland
- The Late Tetraploid GLENFIELD and Late Diploid OAKPARK score highly on the Pasture Profit Index in Ireland
- The Intermediate Tetraploid CHATSWORTH, Late Diploid GLENEAGLE and OAKPARK along with the Red Clover FEARGA have performed very well on the England and Wales Recommended list
Seed Isolation being mowed prior to seed harvest at Teagasc OakPark
White Clover seed production at Teagasc OakPark, pollination of white clover is conducted by bees
Establishing White Clover plants in the glasshouse at Teagasc OakPark
Red Clover is the newest species to be developed at Teagasc OakPark
White clover plants for seed production are established in the glasshouse before been moved outdoors
Perennial ryegrass parent lines are evaluated for Seasonal Yield, Quality, Silage yield, Persistence, Grazing Palatability, Disease Tolerance and Persistency. Only the best parents are used to create a new variety
Ariel view of new and existing evaulation plots at Teagasc OakPark
Perennial ryegrass plants being propagated in the glasshouse at Teagasc OakPark
Forage breeding requires evaluation of vast number of breeding lines to produce the next best variety
Perennial Ryegrass is crossed in the open at Teagasc OakPark. Pollen is contained within each breeding line by a barrier of winter Oats
Specialised combine is used to harvest seed at Teagasc OakPark. Combine is cleaned between each variety to ensure highest purity standards
Perennial ryegrass at biotechnology centre Teagasc OakPark
Red Clover evaluation plots at Teagasc OakPark
Haldrup plot cutter taking measurements from future parent lines of Perennial Ryegrass at Teagasc OakPark
Sowing Evaluation plots at Teagasc OakPark
Perennial ryegrass evaluation plots at Teagasc OakPark
Perennial ryegrass is evaluated for 3 years at Teagasc OakPark
Evaluation within Ireland finds best genetics for Irish conditions and nearby countries
Perennial ryegrass parents are checked for suitability to grazing and silage
Ariel view of large forage evaluation site at Teagasc OakPark