Royal Barenbrug Group
Welcome to Barenbrug New Zealand
At Barenbrug, we’re proud to have been part of New Zealand’s pastoral landscape for over 30 years helping farmers grow the best pasture.
We’re 100% committed to New Zealand’s agricultural future, through providing Kiwi farmers products, information and support to improve farm outcomes.
Our innovative plant breeding and research programmes have created some of this country’s best pastures, including Maxsyn, Shogun, Tabu+, Tyson and Rohan, all of which are backed by the experience and expertise of our staff.
We employ over 60 staff nationwide including plant breeders and agronomists, plus seed laboratory, microbiology and seed production specialists.
At any time we have 100’s of trials across the country, under different climates and farm systems and on different soils, testing the productivity, resilience and environmental outcomes of our pastures and forages.
We also work with expert research partners including DairyNZ, Lincoln University, AgResearch, Massey University, Otago University, PG+, SFFF and DairyBio Australia to help provide the science that underpins what we do.
Royal Barenbrug Group
Since day one, we’ve been linked into the Royal Barenbrug Group, a fourth generation family business based in the Netherlands.
This has helped give us a technical edge from the very start, with unique access to global science, knowledge and plant genetics.
Barenbrug is the largest privately owned seed company in the world, with 22 research and development Stations across all the main climatic zones, and sharing its resources has helped make us what we are today.
120 Years of Dedication
On June 15, 2024 – The Royal Barenbrug Group, proudly celebrated its 120th anniversary. Since its founding on June 15, 1904 by Joseph Barenbrug, the company has dedicated itself to helping feed the world sustainably and enhancing green spaces through innovative seed solutions.
Joseph Barenbrug envisioned a world of possibilities when he saw grass, initiating the development of diverse varieties for multiple purposes, a tradition that continues today. From tasty and healthy forages with high nutritional value for livestock to fine-leaved and attractive green grass for parks and gardens, strong and resilient sports pitches, multi species mixtures that enhance biodiversity, and cover crops that improve soil fertility. Barenbrug creates solutions for every need and climate.
As a family-owned company, Barenbrug has stayed true to Joseph's mission of helping customers overcome challenges. The fourth generation, represented by Frank and Bastiaan Barenbrug, continues this legacy as Supervisory Board members.
In recognition of its prestige, sustainable management, and excellent reputation, Barenbrug was awarded the ‘Royal predicate’ in 2004, a distinction granted to companies with extreme importance in their field and more than a century of existence.
Reaching 120 years is a nice milestone for Barenbrug,
and it is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and serving the needs
of our customers and end-users globally. Our mission to help feed the world sustainably and enhance green spaces has driven us to continually improve and adapt to the changing demands of the industry.
Frank Barenbrug, Member of the Supervisory Board
Milestones of our 120 year journey
| 1904 | Barenbrug is founded by Joseph Theodore Barenbrug |
| 1908 | The booklet "Money in Grasses" is published in the US market in 1909 |
| 1952 | Barenza is Barenbrug's first brand on the variety list. Many more will follow. |
| 1979 | Barenbrug opens a seed cleaning facility in the USA |
| 1996 | Barenbrug opens a subsidiary and R&D station in New Zealand and in Australia |
| 1997 | Barenbrug opens a subsidiary in South America in Argentina |
| 2004 | On its 100th anniversary, Barenbrug became ‘Royal’, because of our important contribution to the grass seed industry |
| 2011 | Barenbrug opens a subsidiary in South Africa |
| 2024 | Barenbrug celebrates its 120th anniversary. Still as passionate about providing the best sustainable grass solutions for sport, forage and recreation as it was back in 1904 |
Our Global Family
The cornerstone of Barenbrug's success is its people. Across all functions and locations, the passion, dedication and unique talents of employees set Barenbrug apart from the competition. Barenbrug is committed to being a global family to foster a sense of belonging, cooperation and mutual growth, increasing Barenbrug's relevance and impact on a global scale. Even though Barenbrug is represented in more than 20 local operating companies around the world, it ensures that everyone becomes stronger by being a global family, maintaining strong relationships with each other, sharing experiences and ideas and helping each other. Our extended family include our loyal suppliers, partners and customers around the world with whom we share our culture and values.
We are incredibly proud of the legacy that our great-grandfather Joseph Barenbrug started in 1904. Over four generations, we have built on his vision and passion for grass seed development. Today, our global Barenbrug team’s dedication and unique talents continue to set us apart, and we look forward to many more years of leading the industry with our cutting-edge solutions.
Bastiaan Barenbrug, Member of the Supervisory Board
The Barenbrug Family
Helping customers deal with all kinds of challenges was Joseph’s mission. Frank and Bastiaan Barenbrug continue that tradition as the fourth generation in Barenbrug’s Supervisory Board. Today, the Royal Barenbrug Group is a leading worldwide creator of turf and forage solutions. Thanks to four generations of Barenbrug leaders we can serve you with over 120 years of experience.
Being a family company is reflected in distinctive charactaristics that set Barenbrug apart from competitors:
Long term stability Barenbrug’s intention to pass the business down through generations ensures a long-term commitment, prioritizing long-term stability and growth. Leading to more to sustainable business practices and strategic planning.
Trust Due to our long history we have deep roots in our communities, leading to strong local support and loyalty. We operate with a strong sense of ethics and integrity, stemming from our family values. In this way we build and strengthen trust with customers, partners and stakeholders.
Customer – centric approach Customers first, that was Joseph’s mission when he started in 1904. Barenbrug still focus on strong personal relationships and customer satisfaction. We want to provide personalized customer service and be more flexible and responsive to individual customer needs.
High quality standards We have a long-standing reputation to uphold. A reputation directly tied to the Barenbrug family name. We maintain and our standards of quality and service to protect and enhance our more than 120 year legacy.
Family atmosphere We nurture a family atmosphere with passionate and dedicated people. We challenge our people to show the best of themselves. Where we are allowed to make mistakes, learn, and become stronger. Although we are represented in many local operating companies around the world, we maintain good global relationships, share experiences, and help each other grow stronger together as one global family.
Royal Barenbrug
In 2004, Barenbrug was granted the ‘Royal predicate’, a distinction awarded only to companies with extreme prestige and importance in their field, that have existed for more than a hundred years, have sustainable management, and an excellent reputation. It symbolizes the Dutch King’s respect, appreciation and trust.
We are proud of our royal distinction.
Our people make the difference
At Barenbrug, our global team's passion and unique talents drive our success. We empower and support our people, fostering growth, innovation, and a sense of belonging in every role and location.