AFBI Opens it’s Door to the Future Generation to Explore Research Opportunities

Date published: 13 February 2018

Areas of Expertise: Sustainable Livestock

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) recently hosted a Schools Open Day at its Hillsborough research station.

Joel Marks and Harry Patterson (Portadown College)

With an excellent turnout, over 158 GCSE and A-Level students from Belfast, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Lisburn, Omagh, Portadown and Saintfield had the opportunity to gain a captivating insight into the innovative studies taking place at AFBI.

Mr Chris Johnston (AFBI) with Hannah Canning and Niamh Campbell (Rathmore)

After being welcomed onto the farm, students were given a tour of the research facilities, talking to the livestock scientists and postgraduate students about their role and area of research. Some pupils were even lucky enough to witness a calf being born when learning about the current challenges and research into sustainable livestock production.

Over the course of the day, pupils were presented with up-to-date scientific knowledge on topics such as beef, dairy, pig and sheep production as well as renewable energy sources and the potential to mitigate the environmental impact of livestock production.

The Open Day gave students the chance to meet and question the AFBI scientists leading these projects, whilst gaining an insight into the role of a research scientist and experiencing first-hand the innovative agri-food research taking place in AFBI.

Dr Francis Lively with Emma Armstong, Laura McDermott & Aisling McCrudden (St Aidan’s Derrylin)

Notes to editors:

AFBI carries out high quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DAERA and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies.AFBI's Vision “Advancing the Local and Global Agri-Food Sectors Through Scientific Excellence”.All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office