Exploring AgritaiN®: A Natural Step Towards More Sustainable Forage Production
Reducing nitrogen losses from livestock production is one of the key challenges facing modern agriculture. At DLF, plant breeding continues to play a vital role in helping farmers increase productivity while meeting environmental demands. AgritaiN® is a plantain specifically developed to support more sustainable forage and dairy systems.
Originally bred in New Zealand for grazing conditions, AgritaiN® was designed to address nitrogen leaching from cattle urine patches, where high nitrogen concentrations can easily escape into soil and groundwater. Research has shown that including AgritaiN® in forage systems can reduce nitrate leaching by up to 89% when used alongside other forage crops.
From pasture grazing to indoor feeding systems
As AgritaiN® was introduced to Europe, its application evolved to meet regional feeding practices, including indoor dairy systems. Here, its benefits extend beyond environmental impact. AgritaiN® supports improved nitrogen use efficiency by enhancing protein absorption in the cow’s intestines and reducing nitrogen concentrations in urine. At the same time, it helps slow down nitrogen conversion in the soil, making nutrients more available for plant uptake.
This combination makes AgritaiN® particularly relevant for farmers navigating stricter environmental regulations while maintaining high levels of milk and meat production.
Added value in the field and in the barn
Beyond nitrogen management, AgritaiN® delivers practical agronomic benefits. Its deep and robust root system improves soil structure, enhances carbon sequestration, and increases tolerance to both drought and excess moisture. This resilience helps secure stable forage yields under variable climate conditions.
AgritaiN® also stands out for its upright growth habit and seasonal flexibility, offering productive forage earlier in spring and later into autumn. This extends the grazing and harvesting window and supports a more consistent supply of high‑quality, homegrown protein.
Healthier forage contributes directly to animal performance. Farmers using AgritaiN® benefit from healthier cows, improved feed efficiency, and potentially lower veterinary and feed costs – supporting both sustainability goals and farm profitability.
Supporting future‑ready farming
AgritaiN® is more than a single crop. It represents DLF’s commitment to developing plant‑based solutions that help farmers reduce environmental impact without compromising productivity. By combining advanced plant breeding with practical farming needs, AgritaiN® helps future‑proof forage systems and support responsible agriculture for generations to come.
How AgritaiN® Works: Four Natural Mechanisms
AgritaiN® reduces nitrogen loss through four complementary biological mechanisms.
These mechanisms make AgritaiN® a powerful, plant-based tool for nitrogen management in forage systems.
Dilution
AgritaiN® has a natural diuretic effect, increasing urine volume and lowering nitrogen concentration. More frequent urination spreads nitrogen over a larger area, reducing harmful hotspots.
Reduction
Compared to high-protein ryegrass diets, AgritaiN® lowers the amount of nitrogen excreted in urine by redirecting nitrogen towards milk, meat and faeces production.
Delay
Secondary plant compounds slow the conversion of ammonium to nitrate in the soil, keeping nitrogen in a stable form for longer and allowing plants to absorb more nutrients before leaching occurs.
Restriction
Compounds released from AgritaiN® roots inhibit nitrification bacteria in the soil, further limiting nitrate formation and nutrient loss.