
Grass becomes extraordinary…
There are more than 8,000 species of grass in the world. Grass is everywhere and seems so ordinary, but when you start to look into it, it actually becomes quite extraordinary. The Barenbrug Group, with a global market share of 12.5%, specializes in breeding, production and marketing of grass varieties. Varieties for different purposes and suitable for a wide range of climates, tasty and healthy grass with a high nutritional value for cattle, fine leaved and attractive green grass for parks and gardens, slow-growing grass for verges, strong grass for sports fields and recreation. The grass seeds are sold all over the world in bright yellow packaging with the distinctive Barenbrug logo. Barenbrug is an independent family business, with the fourth generation continuing the tradition, and currently working at Barenbrug. The company has subsidiaries all over the world with its head office in Oosterhout in the Netherlands. Grass is special! Barenbrug is special!
Emphasis on quality
Thanks to Joseph Barenbrug’s entrepreneurship and emphasis on quality, the company distinguished itself right from the beginning. With the first grass seed production in 1932 and the appointment in 1937 of the first agricultural engineer, the company was given an enormous boost. This however, came to a halt during the years of war between 1940 and 1945.
Developing the Barenbrug varieties
After the Second World War the company played an important role in the network of agricultural universities, scientific institutes and sector organisations. The Netherlands developed into one of the major grass seed exporting countries in the world. In 1948 Barenbrug succeeded in placing the first grass varieties on the Dutch Variety List. With the famous Barenza – a perennial ryegrass, forage type – it became possible for the first time in history to guarantee the purity of a specific variety. Barenza, which headed the international variety lists for decades, placed the Barenbrug brand firmly on the global map.
Introducing innovative varieties
Barenbrug’s reputation was further reinforced early in the 1970s by the introduction of the variety Baron, a Kentucky blue
grass
with which a patent was acquired in the United States. With the first varieties of perennial ryegrass, sports fields type, like Barry, the company made a significant contribution to the growth of the grass-seed market for recreational purposes. During the 1980s Barenbrug made a breakthrough in the lawn and golf market with the successful varieties Barcrown and Bardot.
Breeding new varieties
The Barenbrug Group now has breeding stations on five continents, where new varieties can be tested under various climatic conditions for, among other things: adaptability, susceptibility to diseases, yield, light requirement and wear tolerance. Barenbrug’s plant breeders search for the best grass plants all over the world. These are then being cross-bred to develop new grass varieties. Developing a new variety takes about fifteen years. With expertise, creativity and a lot of patience, Barenbrug succeeds time and time again in developing new grass varieties. The organisation’s international knowledge of plant breeding is a powerful engine behind its commitment to ongoing innovation.