On this page you can find information, videos and links relating to events which took place in 2021. they appear in reverse order, from the latest in the year to the earliest.
RUAS Winter Fair (9 Dec 2021)
AFBI attended the RUAS Winter Fair this year with AgriSearch. The theme of this year's joint AgriSearch and AFBI stand was 'Research and Innovation to help you on your path to net zero'. The AFBI and AgriSearch team and AFBI scientists welcomed visitors onto the stand throughout the day. AFBI also had a presence on the Barenbrug stand where two new AFBI-bred grasses were released Ballyvoy and Dundrod.
AFBI Economics Research Conference (8 Dec 2021)
AFBI held an Economics Research Conference on Wednesday 8th December entitled 'Environmentally Sustainable Farming: Policies, Pathways and People'. The programme featured contributions from AFBI Economists and guest speakers.
You can view the Conference from below:
George Scott Robertson Memorial Lecture (25 Nov 2021)
This yearly event was held in collaboration with QUB Institute of Global Food Security (IGFS) on 25th November at QUB and via webinar. The guest speaker was Maggie Gill OBE, FRSE, former Chief Scientific Advisor for the Environment and Rural Affairs in the Scottish Government and is currently an emeritus Professor in the School of Biology, University of Aberdeen who presented on "Delivering Change in the Agri-Food Sector - Learning from Each Other". You can view the event on YouTube.
Farming Life Awards (28 Oct 2021)
The farming sector is a major contributor to the local economy of Northern Ireland employing thousands of people and the Farming Life Awards recognise the vast talent, entrepreneurship and excellence that exists in the sector. These awards offer farmers and businesses operating in the farming sector a great opportunity to showcase their achievements and increase their profile. AFBI sponsored one of the categories 'Unsung Hero' which was won this year by Basil Bayne.
AFBI/QUB Alliance Stakeholder Event (19 Oct 2021)
A significant event for the Northern Ireland economy took place jointly hosted by the QUB/AFBI Alliance. The alliance has a key goal of supporting Northern Ireland’s agriculture, environment and food systems so that they remain innovative and globally competitive in a rapidly changing world. The event provided an opportunity for DAERA representatives including Minister Edwin Poots MLA, and some of the major players in the agri food industry in Northern Ireland to come together to discuss how best to respond to the growing environmental and climate issues dominating the headlines, with a key focus on partnership working.
Balmoral Show 2021 (22-25 Sept 2021)
This year, the Balmoral show took place in September, after a hiatus of around 16 months. AFBI had its stand back within the Government departments display, alongside colleagues from DAERA, CAFRE and the NIEA.
Celebration event for the Long-term Slurry Experiment at AFBI Hillsborough (16 Sept 2021)
The long term Slurry (LTS) site is one of the longest running grassland experiments in the UK and probably the oldest grassland experiment on slurry applications in the world. The grassland experiment was established in 1970 at AFBI research farm in Hillsborough, County Down. The outdoor event was organized at AFBI Hillsborough by invitation within COVID restrictions. View information on the event
Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend (30 July - 1 Aug 2021)
One of AFBI's Scientists, Dr Debbie McConnell was filmed for this event at her family farm.
Book launch at AFBI Hillsborough (22 June 2021)
The lauch of a book by Vanessa Woods aimed at Primary School children entitled "NI: Our Food Our Story" was hosted at AFBI Hillsborough.
Partners in the publication included ABP, ASDA, Cavanagh Free Range Eggs, Deansgrange Dental Clinic, Grassland Agro, IFJ, LMC, Whites Oats and NIFPA. The event was attedned by AFBI senior staff.
May - Oct 2021: BEEF WEBINAR SERIES 2021: Solutions to deliver sustainable beef production
AFBI, CAFRE, LMC, NIMEA, NBA and UFU joined forces to deliver a series of four beef webinars with a focus on sustainable beef farming for the future. They were specifically tailored for farmers and focused on solutions that can be adopted to further increase the sustainability of the beef industry in NI. Speakers included farmers, industry reps, researchers and advisers and the webinars provided important messages for all involved in the local beef industry.
- Webinar 1: 20 May - "Grass - your greatest asset"
- Webinar 2: 17 June - "Resilience within beef production systems"
- Webinar 3: 30 Sept - "Carbon - a challenge and opportunity for beef farming"
- Webinar 4: 21 Oct - "Sustainable beef supply chain initiatives"
AFBI Science Outlook Conference 2021(24 March 2021)
The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute held its annual "AFBI Science Outlook Conference 2021” on 24 March 2021, streamed live via YouTube.
The Conference, now in its fourth year, focused on key challenges and opportunities and associated recent scientific implications for the local and global agri-food and environmental sectors.
An exciting range of internationally renowned speakers presented alongside leading AFBI Scientists, in the areas of animal and human health, environmental modelling and plant based food production.
International Womens Day Webinar (6 March 2021)
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Dr Elizabeth Magowan |
Director of Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences (AFBI) |
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Professor Louise Cosby |
Head of Virology, AFBI |
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Professor Sharon Huws |
Institute of Global Food Security, QUB |
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Dr Lisa Black |
Head of AFBI Crossnacreevy |
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Professor Niamh O'Connell |
Institute of Global Food Security, QUB |
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Mrs Josephine Kelly |
Acting Chief Executive, AFBI |
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Mrs Joan Houston |
AFBI Board Member and Member of the SINI Regional Executive |