An all-island research symposium on bovine tuberculosis (bTB) opens bringing together officials, scientists & academics from both North & South to share new insights, develop collaborations and help to inform policy makers tasked with eradication of bTB bit.ly/49CX6Kq #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch

AFBI were represented at the International Fertiliser Society Conference held at Robinson College, University of Cambridge from 10-12 Dec. Dr Rachel Cassidy delivered an invited presentation on “Encouraging improved soil management in NI”. #SNHS_NI #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch

A major new study has revealed the widespread presence of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and illicit drugs in Northern Ireland’s lakes and rivers. Read more: bit.ly/4oOuRhr #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch

🌱AFBI to introduce its latest new late-heading tetraploid perennial ryegrass variety Richhill developed through AFBI’s DAERA funded Grass Breeding Programme at Loughgall at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society Winter Fair at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn on Thur 11 Dec bit.ly/4iMuqCY

On #WorldSoilDay AFBI represented at the Soil Science Society of Ireland Conference at UCD presenting posters on Biochar & fertiliser: Effect on #SoilHealth; Soil Nutrient Health Scheme poster with CAFRE & NI Soil monitoring presentation with AFBI's Suzanne Higgins. #SoilScience #AFBIScience #Soils

It's #WorldSoilDay. We are celebrating healthier soils across NI. Our Soil Nutrient Health Scheme is in its final year of sampling. Did you know 440,000 fields have been sampled across NI. Keep your soil healthy! #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #SoilHealth bit.ly/3XWAeQR

The 4th & final year of soil sampling in the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) is well underway. This phase focuses on farms in Co. Antrim & includes any remaining farms across NI that were not previously registered bit.ly/4oDd9gG #WorldSoilsDay #AFBIScience

We finished yesterday the annual meeting of the Working Group on Marine Habitat Mapping (WGMHM) @icesmarine.bsky.social, that this year was hosted by @afbini.gov.uk. Very nice and interesting week with great experts and friends dicussing aspects to enhance the use of habitat mapping in ICES advice.

The latest AFBI animal disease surveillance report for cases submitted to the postmortem labs Jul-Sep 2025 available now bit.ly/4pwuLeZ. Notable cases include haemonchosis, parasitic pneumonias, Johnes disease in a calf & multiple cases of plant & chemical poisoning.

AFBI Study Reveals Surprising Boost in Milk Yield with Early Lactation Cows from Sustainable Cow Diets bit.ly/43Lj2RF #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch

Soil sampling well underway for the 4th & final year of the #SHNS_NI. Tetra Tech RPS started sampling registered agricultural fields in the last few weeks & will continue to early 26. Check general location of sampling bit.ly/3LvQBAw & for info bit.ly/3Lb0xiP.

AFBI have published a statement on the recent data breach on our website here: bit.ly/42OWE9u We sincerely apologise to all those affected by this breach. AFBI contact details can be found here: bit.ly/4oEZ6b7

🌱Online training turns Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SHNS) soil results into action .... #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #SNHS_NI #SoilHealth www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/online-...

Loughgall, #NorthernIreland is the #LTESiteOfTheWeek. Rodrigo Olave @afbini.gov.uk is looking at how tree density affects livestock, #pasture production and #EcosystemServices delivery. Learn more about this experiment: bit.ly/LoughgallNI 🌏

AFBI Omagh recently welcomed newly qualified vets from NI, England & Wales! bit.ly/4oqyCK6 They explored how our veterinary research officers support local veterinary practices through diagnostics that make a real difference, helping to improve their work ‘in the field’. #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch

🐑AFBI wishes to bring to the attention of farmers the need to consider the risk of liver fluke infection in cattle and sheep this autumn and winter which is predicted to be high across NI bit.ly/49gxbJP 🐄 #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch

AFBI represented at 2025 EJP Soil Annual Meeting, Denmark, 6-7 Oct with presentations on soil research work, soil mapping & #SNHS Carbon Research. Focus was on soil research in EU countries with advisors, researchers & farmers giving perspectives on the future of European farming. #AFBIScience

AFBI marks a milestone with the launch of its new marine research vessel at Astilleros Armón shipyard, Spain. This state-of-the-art vessel will become a cornerstone in advancing marine science in NI supporting fisheries, environmental & ecosystem research bit.ly/3IIsD47

AFBI Job Opportunity: Data Scientist - Higher Scientific Officer, based at AFBI Veterinary Sciences Division, Stormont, Belfast. For more information and to apply visit bit.ly/3KjXaFV. Closing Date Noon on 10th October. #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #AFBIJobs

SNHS includes research on soil carbon (C) stocks in NI’s farmland aiming to provide a baseline assessment of above/below ground C stocks + assessment of deep soil C, up to 1m bit.ly/4nQzk3e. AFBI has appointed soil carbon measurement supplier Agricarbon as a delivery agent to support this research.

The AFBI Science Strategy 2030 was launched last week. In case you missed it, you can view it here: bit.ly/46wAzOX Here, AFBI CEO Dr Stanley McDowell outlines how the strategy will guide its science to provide evidence to inform policy, innovation & benefit wider society

AFBI has confirmed registration for the fourth & final year of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) closed on 8 September. Across NI a total of 92.5% of all farm businesses have now registered to participate in the Scheme. Read more here: bit.ly/4mjg2SD

Prof Elizabeth Magowan (AFBI) co-lead of NI LUNZ Hub (with Prof Sharon Huws of QUB IGFS recently met the LUNZ HUB project leads from Scottish, Welsh, English & UK national teams to discuss & model pathways➡️ net zero focusing on land use contribution #LUNZhub #NetZero #Landuse

Gillian Young of AFBI Grass Breeding research programme lectures at 2nd Int'l Plant Breeding Course in Lanzhou University China. She will focus on the genetic concepts underpinning perennial ryegrass breeding & the move towards the next era of breeding technologies.

The AFBI Science Strategy 2030 can be downloaded from the following link: afbini.gov.uk/publications...

AFBI today launched its Science Strategy 2030:- Inspiring Excellence - Delivering Impact- that sets out the strategic direction of its science to 2030. bit.ly/3V6VDFv #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #AFBIScienceStrategy2030

Today marked a significant milestone for AFBI as we launch our Science Strategy 2030 in front of key stakeholders. The event started with a welcome from Board Chair Grace Mulcahy a keynote address from Andrew Muir, DAERA Minister and presentations on AFBI's key research areas.

#HillsboroughNI, #NorthernIreland is the #LTESiteOfTheWeek.  Selva Dhandapani at @afbini.gov.uk‬ is testing the effects of different liquid manure.   http://bit.ly/HillsboroughNI  Listen to our #podcast with Dario Fornara https://bit.ly/2SOrz4D & see this key #paper https://bit.ly/2Syontq 🌍

AFBI has completed the installation of a high-tech computing infrastructure aboard its primary research vessel RV Corystes, marking a major milestone in the digital transformation of offshore science operations bit.ly/41p7guI. #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #fisheries #NationalMarineWeek

An exciting excursion to the @afbini.gov.uk River Bush Salmon Station, followed by a trip to the mouth of the river bush, to round off the day! A treat to see some impressive returning salmon, as well as dolphins just off the coast, probably feeding on some now non-so-returning salmon... #FSBI2025

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute animal disease diagnostic service provides surveillance for notifiable, zoonotic (transmissible to humans) & emerging diseases. Results from postmortem examinations are published quarterly. The report for April - June 2025 is now available here: bit.ly/4ffPG2f

Following the recent CARAS (Council for Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies) Awards Reception held during the Balmoral Show, AFBI's Professor Steven Morrison from AFBI Hillsborough is now a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies (FRAgS). Congratulations to Steven on his award.

Photographer Yvette Monahan & AFBI’s Dr Ewan Hunter at the launch of Belfast Photo Festival on Sat June 7th at the Ulster Museum in Belfast. This year’s theme was ‘BIOSPHERE’ - focusing on imagery, commissions, and projects that spark positive change in how we view and inhabit our shared Earth.

David Hall from Glebe Farm in Co. Down registered for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme as a Zone 1 farmer, hear his story and what he thought of the scheme below. #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch #SNHS_NI www.youtube.com/watch?si=ABZ...

🌱Registration for Zone 4 of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme will opened on Mon 16 June and closes on Mon 1 Sept 2025. Farm businesses in Co Antrim and unregistered farm businesses from Zones 1, 2 and 3 can sign up through the Government Gateway bit.ly/4kDq8Od platform.

🗞️The latest issue of AFBI's Newsletter 'News & Views' is now available for download bit.ly/42UrZIe.

April #siteofthemonth is Hillsborough, at Agri Food and Bio Sciences Institute, Northern Ireland. @afbini.gov.uk is a leading provider of scientific research in agriculture, animal health, food, environment and biosciences. The COSMOS-UK site is on flat, well-grazed grassland on a sandy loam soil.

High excitement today at the start of @egu.eu!! @afbini.gov.uk talks on the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme and NAP research are scheduled this morning. Superb presentation by Maelle Fresne on the factors influencing nutrient loss to water following the closed period for application. Access via the QR.

marinescience.blog.gov.uk/2025/05/13/i... Monitoring plankton is critical for protecting the Irish Sea! Great blog by friends at @afbini.gov.uk , @thembauk.bsky.social , @cefasgovuk.bsky.social and the Environment Agency.

AFBI wishes to advise sheep farmers of the likely risk of Nematodirus worm infection in young lambs occurring at this time of the year. See bit.ly/4cwqsvd for all the information you need on this infection as well as what to do if you suspect it. #AFBIScience

At the 65th George Scott Robertson Memorial Lecture held at Riddel Hall, Belfast Dr Nicola Ranger of Oxford University highlighted the financial and fiscal risk management required to deal with climate change adaptation and the impact on the global economy. bit.ly/4i3YFDh @nicolaranger.bsky.social

Hosted by AFBI, Queen's University Belfast, DAERA & Ulster Farmers Union, Dr Nicola Ranger delivered the 65th George Scott Robertson Memorial Lecture highlighting the financial and fiscal risk management required to deal with climate change adaptation & the impact on the global economy. #AFBIScience

A virtual workshop “The European Commission’s Strategic Dialogue & Vision for Agriculture and Food – Stakeholder Perspectives on Achieving the Vision” will be held on 25.04. To register for free, please follow this link: bit.ly/42heCAm More info: bit.ly/44aF4hm @teagasc.bsky.social

The ICES International Bottom Trawl Survey Working Group (IBTSWG) met in AFBI this week to coordinate and plan scientific surveys that contribute to the sustainable fish stock assessment and advice. The group also enjoyed a presentation about the new AFBI survey vessel by Director Pieter-Jan Schon.

AFBI's Omics Days Conference attracted attendees from a wide variety of disciplines who enjoyed a focused program covering various Omics research topics📰read all about it: bit.ly/43vje8b #The_Omics_Days #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch

On 3 Apr the George Scott Robertson Memorial Lecture on "Managing Nature Based Risks to the Global Economy and Financial System" will be delivered by Dr Nicola Ranger of Oxford University. The venue is Riddel Hall, registration still open! bit.ly/4459fGM #AFBIScience @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social

AFBI CEO Dr Stanley McDowell & AFBI Executive Management Team with the NI Assembly Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee Chair Robbie Butler MLA and Members of Committee on a visit to AFBI Hillsborough.

AFBI Employment Opportunity: Head of Pest & Pathogen Surveillance, based at AFBI HQ, Newforge Lane, Belfast. For more information and to apply visit bit.ly/4iHjXb6. Closing Date 12 noon on 18.04.25. #AFBIScience #AFBIResearch

⏰ One Week Left! 🦗 If you conduct #InsectResearch from the UK, please take a few minutes to fill out the RES #InsectWelfare Survey. Your feedback will be crucial in shaping future resources on ethical insect research. 🔗 buff.ly/9cgWZC2 #EthicsInScience #InsectEthics #AnimalResearch #Entomology