NutriHerb Balance

Herb-rich grassland with preserved feed value and production

Herb-rich grassland has become an indispensable part of producing healthy and sustainable forage. Alongside harvesting forage with good feed value, herb-rich grassland increases biodiversity and improves soil fertility.

Renewed NutriHerb composition for a longer lifespan

Practical experience has created a demand for a herb mixture with a longer lifespan. In the improved NutriHerb Balance mixture, we combine eight herbs and legumes with perennial ryegrass, timothy and tall fescue. This tall fescue is specially selected for this purpose. Perennial ryegrass ensures fast establishment, preventing weeds from settling easily. In the longer term, the tall fescue ensures that the herbs and legumes have enough space. This keeps the composition of the herb-rich field in balance and increases the lifespan.

Excellent feed value and yield

Anyone who thinks they must sacrifice feed value or yield is mistaken. The herbs in NutriHerb Balance are carefully selected and fit perfectly into a ration for high-producing dairy cows. The feed value of NutriHerb ranges between 910 and 960 VEM. The crude protein ranges from 150 to 210 grams per kilo of dry matter, across several cuts over multiple years. A NutriHerb field is also very suitable for grazing. Research by the Louis Bolk Institute shows that NutriHerb even produces 20% more dry matter in a dry year compared to a standard BG3 mixture.

Resilient to the changing climate

A NutriHerb field is highly resilient to drought and extreme rainfall. The deep roots of the various herbs extract groundwater from deep in the soil. The good ground cover of clovers results in minimal soil evaporation.

Improved soil fertility

Fertile soil is crucial for successful cultivation. The worms and soil bacteria attracted by the grass–herb combination make the soil more active and resilient. This results in more fertile soil. In addition, the different clovers in the mixture bind nitrogen from the air, feeding the rest of the crop. With NutriHerb Balance, you grow good-quality forage with reduced or even no artificial fertiliser.

Your cows will thank you

A NutriHerb Balance field is not only highly palatable for your cows, but it also keeps them fitter! The tannins, essential oils and higher mineral content of the herbs in NutriHerb Balance improve fertility, udder health and overall resistance in your dairy herd.

Guaranteed excellent purity

You naturally want certainty about quality. NutriHerb Balance is a grass–forage-herb mixture whose herbs are certified by the NAK. Of course, Barenbrug’s high-quality standards also apply to NutriHerb Balance. In the seed laboratory, technicians strictly ensure that the purity and germination of all seeds meet the Barenbrug standard. This guarantees good germination, and you know the mixture is free of weed seeds and true to type. In addition, the composition, lifespan and feed value of the herbs have been extensively researched and tested in both Dutch and international trials.

Sophisticated selection of feed herbs

NutriHerb Balance is composed of forage herbs that perform well in combination with grasses. NutriHerb is a mix of red and white clover, sainfoin, bird's-foot trefoil, chicory, caraway and narrow leaved plantain in combination with grasses. 

More about the selection of feed herbs 

Suitable for cutting and grazing

Plots with NutriHerb can be used flexibly for grazing and/or mowing. The mixture has been tried and tested in both applications.

Extensive cultivation guide

NutriHerb Balance is a ready-to-use mixture and therefore easy to apply. However, establishing herb-rich grassland requires different management compared to grassland consisting of only grasses. That is why we have prepared a detailed cultivation guide for you. This will help you successfully grow herb-rich grassland.

Go to the crop management manual