AFBI Hillsborough Centenary Celebrated at Balmoral Show

Areas of Expertise: Sustainable Livestock

Service: Research & Development

AFBI Hillsborough officially launched its centenary celebrations with a special event at Balmoral Show 2026.

A reception at the President’s Suite saw staff past and present gather alongside industry partners to mark 100 years of agricultural research on its Co Down research farm.

Dr Lauren Chesney, former PhD student and current post-doctoral researcher at AFBI Hillsborough and Mr Michael Warnock, who served as assistant farm manager at Hillsborough from 1987 – 2024 cut the Hillsborough Centenary cake

Prof. Steven Morrison, Head of AFBI’s Sustainable Livestock Systems Branch gave an overview of the scientific research during the past century from its first silage trials, right through to current day genetic research.

Professor Steven Morrison gave a presentation on the scientific research that has taken place in Hillsborough over the past 100 years

BBC Agriculture and environment correspondent Louise Cullen chaired a panel discussion featuring Prof. Elizabeth Magowan, Director of AFBI’s Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division and leading agri-industry professionals, all of whom completed their PhD’s at Hillsborough. Dr Ann Richmond (Pilgrims), Dr Debbie McConnell (Principal Scientist, AI Services) and Dr David Wright (Irish Farmers’ Journal) all contributed to an enjoyable and meaningful question and answer session.

Question and answer panel at the AFBI Hillsborough 100 years event at Balmoral Show

Established in 1926, the site at Hillsborough was purchased by the The Government of Northern Ireland for £25,000 following negotiations with the Ulster Farmers’ Union and the Ulster Agricultural Organisation Society.

Speaking at the event, on behalf of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, Deputy President Mr Glenn Cuddy said:

“For generations of work carried out by AFBI has made a genuine difference in farms across the country. From the early development of silage and grassland management through to the advances in livestock nutrition, genetics, and environmental science, AFBI research has helped shape a more productive and efficient agriculture industry.

“Today is an opportunity not only to celebrate AFBI’s achievements over the past century, but also to recognise the importance of maintaining strong collaboration between science and industry as we shape the future of Northern Ireland agriculture together.”

Representing the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Mr Martin McKendry said:

“The contribution that research and science has made to farming in Northern Ireland and the challenges that ARINI Hillsborough and AFBI have met head on to put agriculture and agri-food in a really strong footing from Northern Ireland is absolutely phenomenal and it is really important that is recognised today.”

Prof. Elizabeth Magowan (AFBI), Jo-Ann Dobson (AgriSearch), David Graham (AFBI board member) and Prof. Grace Mulcahy (AFBI Chair)

A Hillsborough centenary cake was cut by Dr Lauren Chesney, former PhD student and current post-doctoral researcher at AFBI Hillsborough and Mr Michael Warnock, who served as assistant farm manager at Hillsborough from 1987 – 2024.