On this page you can find information, videos and links relating to events which took place in 2022. they appear in reverse order, from the latest in the year to the earliest.
AFBI Science Outlook Conference 2022 - Carbon and Beyond (9 Nov 2022)
A recording of all 3 sessions is now available to view below.
Session One
Leading innovations to enhance sustainability and circularity within the NI agri-food industry
Keynote speaker:
- Professor Sinead Waters (Teagasc)
"Evaluation and development of feed additives to reduce enteric methane emissions from ruminants".
AFBI speakers:
- Dr David Patterson (Livestock and Production Sciences Branch)
"Pastoral farming - turning over a new leaf". - Mr Chris Johnston (Agri-environment Branch)
"Carbon & Beyond" - Dr Steven Morrison (Livestock and Production Sciences Branch)"
Agricultural sustainability challenge and opportunity - Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Beyond"
Session Two
The role of animal health in achieving our environmental goals
Keynote speaker:
- Dr Philip Skuce (Moredun Research Institute)
"Linking animal health to environmental footprint"
AFBI speakers:
- Dr Barry McInerney (Disease, Surveillance & Investigations Branch
"Animal disease control: an AFBI perspective" - Professor Ilias Kyriazikas (Institute of Global Food Security, QUB
"What do we need to know to quantify the effect of animal health on environmental footprint?"
Session Three
Optimising ecosystem services from our land and seas
Keynote speaker:
- Dr Lisa Norton (UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology)
"Thinking holistically about approaches for future farming and the environment"
AFBI speakers:
- Dr Archie Murchie (Grassland and Plant Sciences Branch)
"Protecting plant health: healthy plants, healthy environment" - Dr Jonathan Holland (Grassland and Plant Sciences Branch)
"Soil Carbon Trade-off and Synergies associated with the Management of Grasslands" - Dr Billy Hunter (Fisheries & Aquatic Ecosystems Branch)
"Burying Treasure: Carbon sequestration and storage in Northern Irish waters"
The conference focused on linking key challenges and opportunities, and associated recent scientific developments, which are expected to have significant implications for the local and global agri-food and environmental sectors.
The conference programme was presented by a number of AFBI’s leading scientists alongside internationally renowned specialists. The key topics covered included:
- The role of animal and plant health in achieving our environmental goals;
- Optimising ecosystem services from our land and seas while producing food; and
- Leading innovations to enhance sustainability and circularity within the NI agri-food industry.
Balmoral Show (11 - 14 May 2022)
After the launch this year of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) AFBI Scientists were available at the AFBI Stand at this year’s Balmoral Show held at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn to answer questions on the scheme. The SNHS is a four year, £45m significant new initiative aimed at improving soil nutrient health and estimating farm carbon stocks, right across Northern Ireland. The scheme will be delivered by AFBI with 27,000 farms and 77,000 fields being sampled by the end of the project.
The four-day Balmoral Show also provided an important opportunity for industry stakeholders and the wider public to learn more about AFBI which is Northern Ireland’s largest provider of agri-food science and the work which it undertakes.
At Balmoral we also showed how our research and other science is leading improvements in the agri-food industry, how it is helping protect animal, plant and human health and how it is contributing to enhancing our natural and marine environment.
Balmoral presents the chance to bring what we do to life and actually show visitors – of all ages - how our work is making a difference.