Get PLUS®

Forages with Beneficial Endophytes

Traditionally, forage grasses have been defined by two traits: yield and persistence. We also place a strong emphasis on a third trait, forage quality, because forage quality directly affects animal performance and your profitability.

After many years of research, we were able to incorporate all three of these traits into select varieties. The technology bringing all of this together is E34 and NEA2, beneficial, non-toxic, fungal endophytes.

Get Plus Family of Products

The Percent of Original Stand Remaining after Four Years of Continuous Grazing

Tested over four years, BarOptima +E34 Soft Leaf Tall Fescue displayed significant persistence and was preferred by the cattle over the other present varieties.

Total Live Weight Gain per Acre

Over the course of two years, the University of Arkansas tracked live weight gain per acre when fed BarOptima +E34 Soft Leaf

Tall Fescue versus traditional Kentucky 31. They found BarOptima +E34 had a 59% greater increase in weight over K31.

Beneficial Endophyte

Our researchers examined alkaloid profiles of numerous endophytes collected from around the world. These selected endophytes were inoculated into different seed germplasm. From this research, we were able to select two beneficial endophytes, “E34” & “NEA2”.

Average Ergovaline Levels Over all Plots for Each Variety at Each Harvest

BarOptima® +E34®

KY 31 (Endophyte-Free)

KY 31

Endophyte Life Cycle

Plants with endophytes can only pass the endophyte through their seed. The endophyte is not passed from plant to plant in a pasture.

Endophyte is a fungus found in seed

As the seed germinates, the endophyte grows into the emerging shoot

It stays in the base of the plant In spring, as stems form, the endophyte grows up into new seed