Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute
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afbini.gov.uk
Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute
@afbini.gov.uk
AFBI is NI's largest agri-food science organisation with a broad remit spanning agri-food, animal & plant health, food safety & environmental & marine sciences

www.afbini.gov.uk
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
December 9, 2025 at 4:55 PM
🌱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
December 9, 2025 at 4:54 PM
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
December 5, 2025 at 4:37 PM
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
December 5, 2025 at 4:24 PM
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.
November 28, 2025 at 2:04 PM
AFBI Study Reveals Surprising Boost in Milk Yield with Early Lactation Cows from Sustainable Cow Diets bit.ly/43Lj2RF
#AFBIScience #AFBIResearch
November 11, 2025 at 5:50 PM
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.
November 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
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
October 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
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
October 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
🐑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
October 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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
October 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
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
September 26, 2025 at 7:29 PM
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
September 25, 2025 at 10:32 AM
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.
September 25, 2025 at 10:31 AM
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
September 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
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
September 25, 2025 at 10:20 AM
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.
September 25, 2025 at 10:17 AM
The AFBI Science Strategy 2030 can be downloaded from the following link: afbini.gov.uk/publications...
September 25, 2025 at 10:16 AM
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.
September 25, 2025 at 10:13 AM
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
August 5, 2025 at 2:48 PM
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
July 31, 2025 at 2:44 PM
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.
June 17, 2025 at 11:12 AM
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.
June 17, 2025 at 11:09 AM
🌱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.
June 17, 2025 at 11:04 AM
🗞️The latest issue of AFBI's Newsletter 'News & Views' is now available for download bit.ly/42UrZIe.
June 17, 2025 at 10:51 AM