AgriSearch is undertaking a wide-ranging review of its research and development and knowledge exchange strategy to ensure that its work programme remains focused and relevant and that it continues to deliver value for money for its farmer levy payers As a…

Two new appointments have recently been made to the AgriSearch Board of Trustees. Val McConnell joins the board as a new Independent Farmer Trustee and David Rea joins as a representative of Dairy UK, filling the role vacated by Fred Allen following his…

Recently released fourth-year results from the AgriSearch co-funded RamCompare project reveal how sires with key breeding traits can drive productivity and optimal new sire purchases. RamCompare is a five-year project that takes nominated…

As a result of the global threat from the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, the livestock sector is facing mounting pressure to reduce antibiotic usage. To address the issue, AgriSearch is leading a major research project in collaboration…

AgriSearch recently led on a large on farm research project into suckler synchronisation involving AFBI, Genus, Zoetis and AI Services. This research trialled four synchronisation methods, on cows and heifers on twelve suckler farms across Northern Ireland,…

Seamus McCaffrey - Chairman, AgriSearch As of 4th May 2020, Seamus McCaffrey has taken up the role of Chairman of AgriSearch, the farmer-funded research and innovation body. Seamus, who is from Co. Tyrone, is a professional Chartered Accountant specialising…

Cattle farmers are being advised to ensure their approach to treating youngstock for roundworms (Ostertagia and Cooperia) is sustainable, so that resistance to products does not develop in the same way as it has in sheep. Westpoint farm vet Emily Francis…

On Wednesday 13th May at 7pm, AHDB will be hosting a webinar to reveal the latest results from the RamCompare project. This includes results from an AgriSearch co-funded sister project being conducted at AFBI, Hillsborough. RamCompare is one of the UK’s most…

Rearing dairy heifer replacements represents significant expense. Analysis of 2018 - 19 CAFRE benchmarking data has indicated that the average cost associated with rearing a dairy heifer is around £1,800. This is a very difficult time for dairy farmers with…

With just four per cent of the average April rainfall this year, grazing conditions on farms are excellent at the moment. And, as a result dairy farmers have been able to take advantage of the cheapest feed available. However, there is still a big variation…

Recently completed research, co-funded by AgriSearch, at AFBI Hillsborough has highlighted the potential of home grown protein sources (namely field beans) to partially replace imported protein sources such as soya bean and rapeseed meal at rates of up to…

AgriSearch are co-funding an exciting new PhD project which is seeking to understand dairy cow behaviour to improve production and welfare in robotic milking systems. This project will be supervised by Dr Gareth Arnott of Queen’s University School of…