Stanley McDowell

Say hello to our latest arrivals! 🐮 A busy season with 278 calves born at AFBI. ✨ 84.4% hit ZST ≥15 (avg 25.5). 📈 Holstein heifers growing 0.76 kg/day to day 63 and 1.2 kg/day post weaning. Proud to support industry through Optihouse bit.ly/4sGtuUb

Herd breakdowns often highlight that some cows cope better with TB exposure than others. This is linked to genetic resistance. Targeted breeding — high EBI alongside improved TB resistance — can help reduce risk in future generations. icbf.com/breeding-for-t…

DAERA vets are investigating the suspicion of Bluetongue virus at a holding near Bangor. More info: daera-ni.gov.uk/news/suspected…

DAERA Minister @AndrewMuirNI met with a delegation from @BritishVets to discuss current animal health & welfare issues including Bovine TB, Avian influenza, health and welfare pathway ahead of his address to the BVA NI Annual Dinner at Stormont earlier this week.

Fantastic to see the launch of AFBI’s new Research Vessel the R.V. Jocelyn Bell Burnell - a super choice for the name too. Well done to everyone involved.

Delighted to name new @AFBI_NI Research Vessel 𝐑.𝐕. 𝐉𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐥, in honour of the Northern Irish astrophysicist and her pioneering scientific work. The new vessel was formally launched into the water this week. More at afbini.gov.uk/news/afbis-new…

AFBI marks a milestone with the launch of its new marine research vessel at Astilleros Armón shipyard, Spain. This state-of-the-art vessel will become a cornerstone in advancing marine science in NI supporting fisheries, environmental & ecosystem research bit.ly/3IIsD47

Huge congratulations to the #Classof2025 celebrating their achievements at today’s @DiscoverCAFRE higher education graduation ceremony and a massive thank you to the amazing staff at CAFRE for making it such a special day for everyone🎓🎉

It’s official!! All of the UK is now recognised by @WOAH as negligible BSE status! A lot of hard work by a lot of people over a lot of years. @DefraGovUK @CVOScotland @ChiefVetNI @CVOCymru

Coming later today: @WOAH #woahgs

Day 2 continues @balmoralshow with a visit from the Minister of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs @AndrewMuirNI to the AFBI stand. Welcomed by @AFBI_CEO and Directors he met with staff from across the Institute who updated him on important ongoing research. #BalmoralShow

We're working with @BritishHorse under Operation Gallop to raise awareness among road users of how to pass a horse safely, especially now as the days are getting longer and more riders will be on the roads. Read more via orlo.uk/15iRw #OperationGallop

BVD RISK AREAS WARNING! tinyurl.com/4jppdsz7

A further suspected case of notifiable Avian Influenza near Pomeroy, Co Tyrone is being investigated. Excellent biosecurity is vital. More information: daera-ni.gov.uk/news/further-s…

Competition to Appoint a Deputy Chair & up to 18 Members to Board of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute @AFBI_NI More info: daera-ni.gov.uk/news/competiti… @nidirect @DiscoverCAFRE @AFBI_NI @EnvironmentNI @NI_LGA

Competition to Appoint a Deputy Chair & up to 18 Members to Board of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute @AFBI_NI -More info: daera-ni.gov.uk/news/competiti… @AndrewMuirNI @nidirect @niexecutive @EnvironmentNI @dptfinance @Economy_NI @Education_NI @healthdpt @deptinfra @CommunitiesNI

#DISCONTOOLS update is out, with overview of recently updated diseases and an interesting interview with Robin Skuce , @AFBI_NI . Together with his colleagues Adrian Allen and Tom Ford (photo), he chaired the expert group on #tuberculosis. mailchi.mp/da455a041b0f/d…

Dropped into @AFBI_NI's Veterinary Sciences Division at Stormont recently. The staff there do incredibly valuable work, supporting me to take decisions that are led by science, research and evidence.

@AFBI_NI Many congratulations - really great to see all of the hard work and effort that has gone in to making the SNHS the success that it is recognised in this way.

Congratulations to @AFBI_NI’s Soil Nutrient Health Team who won an award at the All-Ireland Sustainability Awards 2024. The award recognises the successful communication of the scheme’s benefits for both agricultural & environmental sustainability to farmers & stakeholders.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the significance of #OneHealth in understanding and confronting global health risks. Under my leadership, @WOAH will continue to champion the One Health approach by integrating human, animal, and environmental health to build a healthier, more resilient world. #OneHealth