To mark the end of 2023 CAFRE took the opportunity to look back on activities, both on and off-campus, that successfully engaged with the agri-food and land-based sectors. Students have achieved outstanding competition success and staff have worked with industry partners to promote sustainability and innovation.
These 13 photos provide an insight to life across Enniskillen, Greenmount and Loughry campuses.
9. Campus Gallery
In March, Northern Ireland Pilot Dairy Farms completed the ‘Dairy 4 Future’ Project. An innovative and exciting Atlantic Interreg funded project which comprised 12regions, from across eight countries, including Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, France, Spain, and Portugal. The project had technical support from eleven partners, including local organisations such as CAFRE, SRUC, AHDB, and Teagasc. The data from 100 pilot farms and 10 experimental farms were used to tackle four significant areas that aimed to improve competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience. Photo: Submitted by DAERA
10. Campus Gallery
Highlighting Industry Bursary and Scholarship Awards Photo: Simon Graham
11. Campus Gallery
A group of Horticulture students and staff attended the official opening of the Coronation Pleasure Gardens in Hazelbank Park, Newtownabbey. Celebrated garden designer Diarmuid Gavin, who has partnered with Antrim and Newtownabbey Council to create a Botanical Borough, gave CAFRE students the chance to gain practical experience in constructing the garden through a long-standing relationship developed with the college. Photo: Submitted by DAERA
12. Campus Gallery
CAFRE and Agri Food Biosciences Institute (AFBI) jointly organised two open days, which were focused on healthy calf rearing. These events featured dairy advisers and technologists from CAFRE, who discussed various aspects of rearing dairy heifers, from pre-calving to weaning. AFBI staff presented their Optihouse project, highlighting common causes of poor house design and the future use of modelling technology for calf house design. The open days concluded with CAFRE technologists providing a ‘snap shot’ of energy use and efficiency in the dairy unit. Photo: Submitted by DAERA