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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 01/10/2026

📸 THROWBACK THURSDAY | Then & Now From Young Farmers in 1937 to students in the 2026 Schools Open Day, Hillsborough has inspired future generations for almost a century. These photographs showcase the lasting connection between agricultural education, research and careers in the agri-food sector.

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 25/09/2026

🌱AFBI Hillsborough was pleased to host a recent meeting of the Ulster Grassland Society. 🌿The society is for anyone interested in grass and forage crops and includes members from across Northern Ireland, including Dr Gillian Young, Head of the AFBI Grass Breeding Research Programme.

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 24/09/2026

📸 THROWBACK THURSDAY From recording bird performance to assessing eggs, poultry research has been part of life at Hillsborough for generations. As we celebrate 100 years, we're recognising the staff whose work helped build a legacy in agricultural science. Read more: bit.ly/3PuoCE2 #AFBIScience

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 22/09/2026

🚜Farmers across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to take part in a new online AFBI survey which aims to improve farm safety. 🐮Around 8,000 randomly selected farmers will receive a letter from AFBI this week inviting them to take part. 📝https://ow.ly/5V5s50ZQ0Ur

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 18/09/2026

AFBI CEO Dr Iain Williams reflects on last nights NI Farming Awards in which AFBI was pleased to sponsor the Unsung Hero award won by Robert Davis, Laurelview Social Farm. Well done to all the nominees and winners. Farming Life #AFBIScience #AFBIReseach www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKYxA1frx1E

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 17/09/2026

A century of science is built on the people behind it. As part of #Hillsborough100, Professor Fred Gordon looks back on 38 years of innovation, collaboration and discoveries that helped shape modern dairy farming. 🔗 Read Fred's story: bit.ly/4ii3Xz1 #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch 🐄🥛🔬

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 10/09/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY 💡Did you know? The Hillsborough Long-Term Slurry Experiment has been generating valuable insights for over 50 years, making it the world’s longest-running grassland slurry study. #Hillsborough100 #AFBIScience

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 08/09/2026

AFBI published the latest Animal Disease Surveillance Report. Based on post-mortem examination of carcasses submitted to the AFBI labs, it provides accurate diagnoses & identifies underlying causes of mortality: bit.ly/4yvbkIi #Veterinaryscience #DiseaseSurveillance

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 01/08/2026

📰 The latest edition of AFBI News and Views has arrived! Discover the latest stories, scientific developments, project updates and highlights from across AFBI. Download your copy now and see what's been happening. 🔗 bit.ly/4w2pdf8

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 28/07/2026

AFBI would like to alert cattle farmers we are now in a high risk period for parasitic pneumonia & fatal cases of hoose have already been diagnosed in calves examined at AFBI laboratories during the current grazing season. Read more: 🔗bit.ly/4yMKNqF #AFBIScience

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 28/07/2026

Scientists at AFBI will play a key role in research projects on emerging infectious diseases, bovine tuberculosis, and reductions in methane emissions from cattle. 🔗Read more: bit.ly/3TryuzV #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 16/06/2026

Read the latest news from across the AFBI-led Dairy Carbon Network (DCN) project, including highlights from different areas of the project such as technical articles, team profiles and events attended. bit.ly/4edNWHO

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 15/06/2026

Do you gather shellfish from the NI intertidal area? You can help us get a better understanding of this activity, particularly around the gathering of periwinkles. 🦐Take part in the survey: 🔗 bit.ly/4vH6dmA #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #shellfish

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 12/06/2026

🦆Great progress this week on the PEACEPLUS-funded ACCLIMATISE project led by AFBI! BTO staff deployed passive acoustic monitors on Sheep Island, the Skerries & Isle of Muck to track movements of tagged seabirds. Stay tuned for insights into our marine environment! @btobirds.bsky.social

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 09/06/2026

👨‍🔬Have Your Say: AFBI invites farmer input on alternative farrowing research. This AFBI-led project supports NI pig farmers moving away from traditional crates while maintaining productivity, profitability & environmental sustainability. 🐖#AFBIScience bit.ly/4uWAqOD

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 05/06/2026

🐑 Early results from a study at AFBI have shown that farmers who use a selective treatment against parasites on their lambs can reliably identify those that benefit most from wormer treatments. bit.ly/4a1EUvd

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 05/06/2026

❓Can shellfish clean our seas? New research from Seafish supported by AFBI scientists, shows how bivalve aquaculture can remove excess nutrients, prevent harmful algal blooms & support healthier marine ecosystems🦀 🔗See link: bit.ly/4aat9T0 #WaterQuality

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 05/06/2026

Dr Gary Lyons & Dr Shannon McIvor spoke to visiting Nuffield Scholars at AFBI on research tackling environmental challenges in farm slurry management—covering greenhouse gas & ammonia reduction, and how slurry separation can improve water quality 🌱 #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 05/06/2026

AFBI's Dr Gary Lyons speaking at one of the Bioeconomy Sessions on the potential for large scale slurry processing to produce bioenergy & also reduce phosphorus loss to bodies water at the recent Agriculture and Land-use in Ireland - Pathways to a Sustainable Future Conference. #AFBIScience

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 05/06/2026

Plenary lecture on Day 2 of Agriculture & Land use in Ireland Conference from AFBI's Dr Rachel Cassidy on One Island, Many Rivers: Comparing Water Quality Stressors and Climate Induced Vulnerabilities in Agricultural Catchments #AFBIresearch #AFBIscience

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 05/06/2026

#AFBI research on biochar represented today at the Agriculture & Land Use Conference, Portlaoise (26/27 May) with poster presentation by Christina van Midden on Evaluating P release efficiency of duo-biochar to spring wheat #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #SNHS_NI #auburn_university

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 05/06/2026

🌱Maelle Fresne with her poster presentation at the Agriculture & Land Use Conference, Portlaoise held recently on Estimation of Total P loading in large river catchment: impacts of sample frequency and load calculation method. #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #snhs_NI #real_data

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 05/06/2026

Carbon research poster presentation by Chris Chagumaira recently at the Agriculture & Land Use Conference, Portlaoise on Factors influencing soil C stocks & sequestration rates in N Ireland. #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #SNHS_NI

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 05/06/2026

The Soil Nutrient Health Scheme was represented at the Agriculture & Land Use Conference, Portlaoise held on 26/27 May with a poster presentation by Luke Farrow on Quantifying Aboveground Biomass at the National Scale. #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #SNHS_NI

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 03/06/2026

AFBI has published the Jan - Mar 2026 Animal Disease Surveillance Report. Based on post-mortem examination of carcasses submitted to the AFBI labs, it provides accurate diagnoses & identifies underlying causes of mortality: bit.ly/4dVC4J6 #Veterinaryscience #DiseaseSurveillance #AnimalHealth

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 28/05/2026

AFBI research is making a real difference in NI- From climate change impact on grassland productivity to genetic innovation, outdoor pig systems & virtual fencing. Read more in the Science Impacts 2026 booklet: bit.ly/4dm7dVU #AFBIscience #Innovation #Impact

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 22/05/2026

🐜Scientists at AFBI have launched a new 3-year project to protect NI’s native ash trees from an invasive insect. The ash sawfly not native to the island of Ireland, feeds on ash trees between May-June. 🔗Read more: bit.ly/42QjuwV #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #Entomology

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 19/05/2026

AFBI is pleased to announce that Dr Iain Williams has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute. He will join AFBI on 1st September. Welcome to AFBI Iain. Read more: bit.ly/4dzDSrd

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 08/05/2026

Research within the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme at AFBI is highlighting the vital role our hedgerows play as biodiversity reservoirs and carbon rich habitats .....

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 07/05/2026

CliBeef, a cross-border project with the key goal of helping farmers produce climate-friendly beef led by AFBI & delivered in partnership with Teagasc, Ireland’s agriculture & food development authority, Queen's University Belfast & AgriSearch NI was launched today. 🔗http://bit.ly/3RadU5P

(L-R) Dr Francis Lively, AFBI Principal Scientific Officer; Prof Elizabeth Magowan, Director of AFBI’s Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division; Andrew Muir, Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs, and Mark Lee, Director of Higher Education at the Department for the Economy.

Prof Elizabeth Magowan, Director of AFBI’s Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division; Paul Sheridan, Director of Corporate Services, SEUPB; Dr Francis Lively, AFBI Principal Scientific Officer; Andrew Muir, Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs, and Mark Lee, Director of Higher Education at the Department for the Economy.

The CliBeef project was launched at AFBI Hillsborough today.

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 07/05/2026

🐮The countdown is on! 🐑Only 7 days to the start of the Balmoral Show, Northern Irelands leading agricultural event. 📅Weds 13 - Sat 16 May. ➡️Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn. 🐖AFBI will be at Stand EK1 in the Government Departments Exhibition – we hope to see you there!

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 30/04/2026

📅2 weeks to the start of the Balmoral Show where AFBI will be showcasing its research into sustainable, resilient and prosperous farming systems to visitors. 🌞Be sure to call by and see us in the Government Departments Exhibition at Stand EK1. 👩‍🔬See you then.

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 27/04/2026

👨‍🎓PhD Studentship Opportunity: Assessing Environmental, Economic, and Resilience Trade-offs in Beef Production Systems. 📅Closing date: 14 May 2026 ➡️Commencement date: September 2026 🔗More information: bit.ly/4u3IQ5S 🖊️To apply: bit.ly/3Qp7ijX #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #PhDOpportunity

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 24/04/2026

🐮3 weeks to go until the start of the Balmoral Show & preparations are well underway in AFBI. Call by and meet us in the Government Departments Exhibition over the 4 days of the show. We will be sharing more updates in the lead up to the event. 😎See you there! 📅13-16 May

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 22/04/2026

📰AFBI study highlights potential for successful outdoor pig production in NI ..... #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch 🔗 bit.ly/4e1VDkH

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 22/04/2026

🐟Sandeels are vital to marine food webs, sustaining seabirds and even whales. This study led by AFBI mapped potential sandeel habitat around NI's coast, informing decision-support tools for management of Marine Protected Areas. 🔗Read more from bit.ly/41KnONN

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 14/04/2026

AFBI Board acknowledges Minister Muir’s statement @niassembly.gov.uk & welcomes recognition of the professionalism & dedication of AFBI staff & value of services provided. We are addressing issues & remain committed to transparency, continuous improvement & collaboration with DAERA & stakeholders

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 27/03/2026

AFBI welcomes DUP representatives to its research farm at Hillsborough bit.ly/4bRST6G #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 27/03/2026

🐟To strengthen climate change resilience and coastal community engagement in Irish seas, 3 independent projects supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the @SEUPB were launched on Thurs 26 March at a joint event hosted by @AFBI_NI in Belfast 📰https://bit.ly/4uVevYw

(L-R) Shauna McKeown (Ulster University), Paul Sheridan (SEUPB), Clare Vincent (DAERA), Stanley McDowell (AFBI), Sharon McMahon (Loughs Agency), Tim O’Higgins (DCEE).

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 27/03/2026

🌱AFBI’s Grassland Insights - From Soil to Sward Webinar Series has concluded with the final webinar in the series focussing on Where to invest to optimise grassland productivity bit.ly/3NJafL6. 📺 Watch the 3 webinars from the series from the following link: bit.ly/4cWK8ui #AFBIScience

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 20/03/2026

🌱AFBI's Grassland Insights - From Soil to Sward Webinar Series concludes next week on Weds 25 March at 7pm with the focus on Longer-term investment and the return it can bring. ⏰Date and Time: Weds 25th March 7-8pm 📑To register see: bit.ly/40C63zJ

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 19/03/2026

🌱AFBI’s Grassland Insights - From Soil to Sward Webinar Series continued last night focusing on Soil Health, Why Does it Matter? 📺You can watch the full webinar from the following link: bit.ly/4cWK8ui

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 06/03/2026

🌤️Drier weather allows first group of cows to start grazing at AFBI Hillsborough 🐄 #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 06/03/2026

🌱The AFBI Webinar series Grassland Insights – From Soil to Sward will take place over 3 evenings on 11, 18 and 25 March at 8pm. See link for more information and how to register: bit.ly/3MtqmMe 📅Registration is NOW OPEN.

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 05/03/2026

AFBI welcomed the opportunity to meet the President & senior reps of @UFUHQ today to discuss allegations presented in the media & provide confidence in the robust investigations and inspections that were undertaken in relation to the AFBI Hillsborough farm bit.ly/4b8WlJZ

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 04/03/2026

🌱AFBI’s New Grassland Insights Series Opens on 11 March at 8pm with Focus on Getting More from Grass This Season bit.ly/4srL6mY. The series runs on March 11, 18 and 25, from 8–9 pm. The webinars are free to attend and you can register now at bit.ly/4u9j8Oa

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 03/03/2026

At the 2026 George Scott Robertson Memorial Lecture in Riddel Hall recently, Ash Amirahmadi, CEO of Sofina Foods Europe, shared thoughtful perspectives on the future of food and farming, including challenges to established practices and ways of thinking. bit.ly/3N0xMH1

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 03/03/2026

The AFBI Webinar series Grassland Insights – From Soil to Sward will be taking place over 3 evenings on 11, 18 and 25 March at 8pm. Registration is NOW OPEN bit.ly/3MtqmMe

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 28/02/2026

Video statement from Prof Elizabeth Magowan of AFBI

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Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute @afbini.gov.uk · 27/02/2026

AFBI wishes to correct a recent public statement by NI Water made during a Mid Ulster District Council meeting regarding the relative contributions of phosphorus to Lough Neagh from agriculture, wastewater & other sources, attributed to AFBI modelling bit.ly/3N5o85W

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