AgriSearch is to host a webinar focused on mycotoxins in forages and feeds, bringing together findings from its own research alongside leading international expertise to provide farmers and industry stakeholders with practical, up-to-date insights. The webinar, titled “Mycotoxins in Forages and Feeds: Insights from the AgriSearch Study and International Research”, will take place on Tuesday 14 April 2026 at 12:30pm and will explore where mycotoxin risks arise and how they can be managed effectively on farm.

AgriSearch, the farmer-funded and farmer-led research and innovation body, has announced the appointment of Norman McMordie as its new Chair. He succeeds Professor Gerry Boyle, who is stepping down as Chair and from the AgriSearch Board after over four years of service.

The first UK Dairy Carbon Network (UK-DCN) on-farm event in Northern Ireland will take place on Tuesday 14 April 2026 at 11am, hosted by Ivan, Elaine and Lewis Williamson on their farm near Scarva. This marks the start of a series of events to be held on farms participating in the project.

AgriSearch have announced the new cohort of GrassCheck farmers for 2026 to 2028. Now in its 27th year, the GrassCheck programme, which is a joint initiative of AgriSearch, AFBI and CAFRE and supported by DAERA, continues to play a vital role in helping ruminant livestock farmers maximise returns from grazed grass by monitoring grass growth and quality across Northern Ireland.

AgriSearch has today published its Annual Report for 2025, highlighting a year of significant progress, major research achievements and continued commitment to supporting Northern Ireland’s ruminant livestock sector through farmer driven innovation.

The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group is pleased to announce that its updated Nematodirus Hatching Forecast for the 2026 season is now live. “This free online tool has proved to be an invaluable resource for many producers, vets and advisers for a number of years”. says Kevin Harrison, SCOPS Chair and South Gloucestershire Sheep Farmer. “For 2026 we have made some improvements, which we hope will make it even more helpful when deciding if, and when lambs may need a treatment”.

200 delegates braved severe weather conditions to attend the AgriSearch Beef Conference at the Seagoe Hotel, demonstrating the strong appetite among farmers to learn from peers and industry specialists.

Grass has always done the heavy lifting on the Williamson farm near Scarva, Co Armagh. By putting milk from forage at the centre of their system, Ivan and Elaine Williamson, farming alongside their son Lewis, have built a herd capable of producing just over 9,000 litres from under 3.0 tonnes of concentrate per cow.

SCOPS and COWS experts recently reviewed laboratory test results, post mortems and feedback from farms, and while losses due to liver fluke continue to be low this season, they warn there is still time for a ‘sting in the tail’.