The Endophyte Revolution: Cultivating Change in Farming's Core

Rooted in Tradition, Hindered by Nature

In forage production, one challenge has persisted for generations: how do you grow grasses that can withstand drought, insects, grazing pressure, and other environmental stresses without sacrificing animal performance?

For centuries, naturally occurring endophytes have helped answer part of that question. These microscopic fungi live inside cool-season grasses such as tall fescue and perennial ryegrass, forming a symbiotic relationship that improves plant persistence by increasing tolerance to insects, drought, and heavy grazing.

The downside is that many traditional endophytes also produce ergot alkaloids, compounds that help protect the plant but can negatively impact grazing livestock. These toxic alkaloids have been linked to reduced weight gain, lower milk production, poor reproductive performance, elevated body temperatures, and fescue toxicosis.

For decades, producers were forced to choose between two imperfect options:

• Highly persistent pastures that could compromise livestock performance.
• Livestock-friendly grasses that often lacked the long-term durability needed for productive grazing systems.

That tradeoff shaped forage management for decades.

Today, advances in beneficial endophyte technology have made it possible to maintain the persistence of traditional endophyte grasses while minimizing the risks associated with toxic alkaloids. Rather than forcing producers to choose between pasture persistence and livestock performance, modern endophyte technologies now deliver both.

The Rise of Beneficial Endophytes

Researchers recognized that not all endophytes behave the same way. By carefully selecting naturally occurring endophyte strains that do not produce harmful alkaloids, scientists developed what are now known as beneficial or novel endophytes.

These beneficial endophytes continue to provide many of the advantages producers expect from traditional endophytes, including:

• Excellent pasture persistence
• Improved drought tolerance
• Natural insect resistance
• Greater stand longevity
• Reduced risk of fescue toxicosis
• Improved livestock performance

Rather than forcing producers to choose between plant health and animal health, beneficial endophytes help deliver both.

Barenbrug's Innovation: Get Plus^®

At Barenbrug, our beneficial endophyte platform is called Get Plus^®.

Get Plus^® isn't a seed treatment or coating. It's the result of decades of research identifying naturally occurring beneficial endophytes that work in harmony with elite forage genetics. These endophytes live inside the plant throughout its life, providing protection against insects and environmental stress without producing the harmful alkaloids associated with traditional toxic endophytes.

Our researchers evaluated naturally occurring endophytes from around the world before identifying superior strains that combined plant persistence with livestock safety. Those beneficial endophytes were then paired with improved forage genetics to create grasses that are productive, persistent, and livestock friendly.

Today, Get Plus^® technologies include:

• E34^® beneficial endophyte in BarOptima^® E34^® | Get Plus^® tall fescue
• NEA2™ beneficial endophyte in Remington NEA2 | Get Plus^® perennial ryegrass varieties

Together, these technologies help producers establish pastures that are more productive, more resilient, and better suited for modern livestock production.

Putting the Technology to Work

Beneficial endophytes are no longer simply a research breakthrough. They're already helping producers improve pasture performance every day.

BarOptima^® E34^® | Get Plus^® combines elite soft-leaf tall fescue genetics with the E34^® beneficial endophyte to provide exceptional persistence while supporting livestock health and forage quality. Likewise, Remington NEA2 | Get Plus^® perennial ryegrass featuring NEA2™  beneficial endophytes provide improved persistence without the drawbacks associated with traditional toxic endophytes.

These technologies allow producers to establish productive, long-lasting pastures that support both healthy livestock and healthy forage stands.

Looking Ahead

The story of endophytes continues to evolve. As forage genetics advance, beneficial endophytes are becoming an increasingly important part of sustainable pasture management.

At Barenbrug, Get Plus^® represents our commitment to solving one of forage agriculture's longest-standing challenges: delivering grasses that work for both the plant and the animal.

Whether you're replacing Kentucky 31, establishing a new pasture, or improving an existing forage system, Get Plus® technologies provide a modern solution built on decades of scientific research and real-world grazing success.

Learn more about Get Plus® technology and discover the forage varieties that are redefining pasture performance.

Learn More About Get Plus®