BARLEGRO

Genetic Potential of Cocksfoot for Intensive Grazing

«Barlegro» by the Dutch breeding house Barenbrug is a cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) variety engineered to secure early spring and late summer forage regrowth. Unlike wild populations, this variety exhibits pronounced tillering and enhanced tolerance to mechanical damage caused by livestock hooves, making it a robust choice for permanent pastures.

Technical Specifications and Performance

• Canopy Architecture: The variety features high shoot density, which helps prevent overgrazing damage and mitigates soil erosion during intensive rotational grazing cycles.
• Growth Dynamics: Barenbrug Holland focused on breeding out the rapid stem lignification typical of common cocksfoot. «Barlegro» maintains its nutritional value and palatability for a longer duration, providing a wider window for optimal grazing.
• Stress Adaptation: The variety's adaptive traits facilitate rapid recovery after mid-summer drought periods, which is critical for maintaining a steady forage conveyor system.

Incorporating «Barlegro» is recommended for forage systems aimed at establishing long-term cultural pastures. With the breeding expertise of Barenbrug Holland and Inconnu (Fr), the seed material ensures a uniform stand, simplifying paddock management and stocking density calculations. The variety shows excellent compatibility in grass mixtures, promoting a balanced ecosystem without outcompeting less aggressive species, thus creating a stable and productive grazing environment.