AFBI Hillsborough Celebrates 100 Years of Scientific Excellence and Innovation in Agricultural Research
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AFBI is celebrating a major milestone this year as its Hillsborough research site marks 100 years at the forefront of agricultural, environmental and bioscience research.
Work first began at the farm in Hillsborough Large Park in 1926, at a time in which food security was paramount. The establishment of the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland (ARINI) followed negotiations between the Ulster Farmers’ Union, the Ulster Agricultural Organisation Society and the Northern Ireland Government, supported by the gifting of land for research purposes and oversight through an appointed Board.
The site has grown from a small research station into a globally respected centre of excellence in livestock systems, sustainability research and agri‑food innovation. Today, research originating at Hillsborough informs policy, shapes farming practices and contributes to scientific understanding across the UK, Ireland, Europe and further afield. The impact of the work undertaken here—both historically and currently—continues to be recognised at national and international levels.
Over the past century, AFBI Hillsborough has delivered scientific breakthroughs and developed an industry of specialists that have shaped how Northern Ireland farms and manages its land — from pioneering grass silage trials to wide‑ranging studies across cattle, sheep, pig and poultry systems, alongside major advances in soil health, nutrient management, genetics and sustainable farming.
For 100 years, the Hillsborough site has played a defining role in the evolution of modern agriculture and been a formative place for generations of people, many of whom have gone on to shape the direction of Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry.
Early post-war forage research helped transform on-farm productivity. Optimising productivity and profitability for farming systems remains the foundational focus of today’s work while also delivering on the additional goals of enhancing environmental stewardship as well as animal health and welfare and embedding climate resilience.
The centenary year will be marked with a programme of activities including historical reflections and celebrating the people, discoveries and partnerships that have made Hillsborough a cornerstone of agricultural research in Northern Ireland, while showcasing the site’s future‑facing work.
Speaking about the milestone, Professor Elizabeth Magowan, Director of Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division at AFBI said:
“Hillsborough, for 100 years, has been a place where science meets farming, built on the dedication of the people who have worked here. AFBI Hillsborough’s centenary is a remarkable achievement that reflects generations of expertise, innovation and collaboration that have supported farmers and built a resilient agri‑food industry. We are proud of the staff, past and present, and the inspiration they provide to future generations who will carry this legacy forward.”
Looking ahead to the next century, the team at AFBI Hillsborough remain committed to delivering high-impact practical science to support the economic and environmental sustainability of Northern Ireland’s agriculture industry while contributing to the wider needs of society and continuing to play a role in international agricultural research and innovation.