Germinal
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Germinal is a leading forage specialist developing sustainable grassland varieties.
Founded in 1825, Germinal is a sixth-generation family company supporting farmers with technical advice and best practice guidance. Working within the industry and alongside partners to share grassland knowledge, Germinal is committed to a responsible future for agriculture. Germinal’s focused research in plant breeding combined with innovative partnerships helps facilitate a productive and sustainable food future for all.
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15/10/2026
Congratulations to Graham Parks for winning Grassland Farmer of the Year!
Well done to all the finalists and thanks to British Farming Awards for organising a brilliant night!
Congratulations to Graham Parks who has been named Grassland Farmer of the Year 2026!
For Graham Parks, proactive grassland management has been at the heart of a successful beef enterprise for more than two decades. Farming 117.6ha, including 16.6ha owned and 101ha tenanted, Graham buys around 250 calves from a single spring-calving Arla dairy herd, predominantly Aberdeen Angus and Hereford, before developing them into grass-fed beef cattle.
Graham has rotationally grazed cattle for 23 years, a system inspired by a dairy farm where he saw the potential of producing milk from forage. Today, around 95% of his cattle’s diet comes from grass and forage, helping reduce concentrate costs while improving performance.
Strict rotational grazing has also transformed the farm’s land. When Graham took on his current tenancy 10 years ago, around 100 acres were heavily affected by ragwort and a further 40 acres by creeping thistle. Through grazing management and topping, without using sprays, w**d levels have fallen by more than 99%. Since 2020, Graham has introduced herbal leys to improve soil health, drought resilience and reduce fertiliser requirements, while weekly grass-growth recording through Agrinet has strengthened decision-making. These measures have helped reduce finishing age from 32 to 27 months, while profitability has tripled in five years.
Environmental stewardship is equally important. Streams have been fenced, hedgerows planted, fertiliser use reduced and 25 acres entered into GS4. Graham also uses annual carbon audits to track progress. With beef prices currently providing an opportunity to reinvest, Graham is focused on securing the business’s future while continuing to demonstrate how productive beef farming and environmental improvement can work hand in hand.
Morrisons Germinal Farmers Guardian
15/10/2026
We’re looking forward to the British Farming Awards tonight!
Good luck to all the finalists shortlisted for an award.
A special mention to the Grassland Manager of the Year finalists - BB Haylage, Graham Parks and William Roobottom. Best of luck to you all!
“You're helping the lamb more, you're using less nitrogen, you're adjusting your cost of input too.”
Northern Irish farmer Richard McKeown runs around 160 pedigree Dorset ewes on the Ards Peninsula each summer, where drought conditions can challenge grassland performance.
Working with Germinal, Richard has developed a more resilient grassland system by establishing multi-species swards with white clover and herbs.
The result:
• Less applied nitrogen
• Lower input costs
• More drought-tolerant swards
• Less supplementary feed
• Improved lamb finishing
How can multi-species help improve performance while reducing inputs? Read to find out: https://germinal.ie/multi-species-lower-nitrogen-inputs/
What’s the optimal way to set up bales to supplement winter grazing?
Watch William Fleming explain how to calculate the optimal number of bales to place and how often.
08/10/2026
Not long to go before the winner of the BGS Grassland Farmer of the Year 2026 is announced! This is the last chance to book your tickets for the awards evening. Booking will close Monday 12 October at midday. (This is a ticketed only event)
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/britishgrasslandsociety/2098591
(Pictured are James & Brenda Henderson of Ulster Grassland Society. James won the prestigious trophy last year)
Guessing how much dry matter is in your brassica crop?
Watch Germinal expert William Fleming share a quick way to measure.
“There’s been a bit more focus on getting better quality because of how much it’s worth. Getting that forage right for your winter milk means you become less dependent on bought-in feeds.”
Hywel Dafis is seeing firsthand the benefits diverse pastures can bring to his dairy system.
By incorporating clover and chicory into his dairy system, he is reducing feed costs while promoting healthier soil and building a resilient system.
Watch to see how Hywel’s approach is a win-win for both planet and pocket.
What can chicory and plantain bring to your swards?
Dr Mary McEvoy shows you how to spot them and talks you through the benefits of these resilient forage species.
23/09/2026
Last chance to enter!
Entries for the Sustainable Dairy Grassland Farmer Award close this Friday.
If your grassland management is helping to improve forage production, reduce inputs and build a more resilient and sustainable system, now is the time to share your story.
Don’t miss your chance to put yourself forward and enter or nominate here: https://nationaldairyawards.com/
Agri Insider
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15/09/2026
Join us tomorrow at UK Dairy Day!
Got a grassland challenge? Ask the experts…
Come and meet Germinal’s Harley Brown-Keech and the team in Hall 2, Stand H144.
Bring your questions and discover the right grassland solution for your dairy system.
See you tomorrow!
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Contact the business
Address
1 Clarence Street
Belfast
BT28DX
Opening Hours
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |
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