Rae Park, former laboratory manager at Hillsborough, reflects on a career spanning laboratory science, dairy research and the development of the Hillsborough Feeding Information System (HFIS), and on the collective effort behind lasting progress in farming
For Rachel (Rae) Park, a former senior member of the laboratory team at Hillsborough, AFBI's centenary is less about a single moment and more about continuity.
"For me, it's about being one link in a very long chain. There are checkpoints where we pause, reflect and celebrate what has been achieved. Each moment reminds us we're continuing work that began long before us and will continue long after."
"Reaching 100 years emphasises not just the scientific results, but the continuity of effort, teams of people over decades, all contributing pieces to a much bigger story,” reflects Rae about the collective effort behind lasting progress in farming.
Rae's own contribution spanned several roles throughout her career. Initially based at Newforge, she later became involved in the work that led to the development of the Hillsborough Feeding Information System (HFIS), managing the Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) element of the project between 1993 and 1998 and continuing to contribute to its evolution for more than a decade. She also spent time working as a dairy scientist before later becoming manager of the analytical laboratory at Hillsborough.
That varied experience gave Rae a unique perspective on the day-to-day reality of scientific research.
"The lab work is hard. There are long hours, complex protocols and a lot of troubleshooting. But it's also deeply rewarding. You see the impact of your work build over time, and you know you're contributing to something that matters."
Among her proudest achievements is the role she played in supporting research delivery through the Hillsborough analytical laboratory and her long-standing involvement in work that underpinned the development and advancement of HFIS.
"It wasn't just one project. It evolved into a sustained effort where each phase built on the last. That research laid the foundation for everything that followed. Those early studies defined the questions we're still working on today."
Almost 30 years later AFBI's Hillsborough Feeding Information Service is still helping farmers and feed suppliers make key decisions on winter feeding programmes based on their silage samples.
Looking back, Rae highlights the enduring value of scientific research and its continued relevance.
"It's encouraging to see it still influencing what's happening now, being used, adapted and built upon. It's not just a job; it's part of a much larger scientific journey."
But for Rae, the story of Hillsborough is not about individuals. It is about people working together over time.
"None of this happens because of one person. It's a collective effort. Scientists, technicians, students and support staff all play their part."
Over a century of research, countless individuals have contributed to that shared legacy. Rae's reflections capture the essence of Hillsborough's story: a place where knowledge is built over generations, and where each contribution becomes part of something far greater.