Open day highlights importance of science

Earlier this year and before the arrival of COVID-19, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) Hillsborough welcomed 170 GCSE and A-Level students from a range of schools throughout Northern Ireland to their third annual Schools Open Day.

Throughout the open day the key role that science plays in improving the sustainability of the agricultural industry was demonstrated both through short talks and a guided tour of the research farm.

AFBI scientists and PhD students showcased their innovative research into improving the sustainability of livestock production with topics ranging from the nutrition of dairy, beef and sheep animals, nutrient and slurry management, the bio circular economy and the mitigation and measurement of greenhouse gases. Throughout the day, students were also able to see how novel technology is being used within agricultural research, whether it be a robotic milking parlour to monitor behaviour and productivity of dairy cows, thermal imaging cameras for early identification of ill health or global positioning system (GPS) collars to monitor grazing behaviour in sheep.