We’re looking forward to being at the Royal Welsh Show next week. Come and find us on the IBERS stand and in the Education Pavilion as we explore Future Fields — from innovation and sustainability to practical conversations about the future of farming, rural land use and research in action. #RWAS

🎓 Congratulations to Dr Mari Davies on her PhD graduation! 🎉 We are delighted to celebrate Dr Mari Davies, who graduated yesterday after successfully completing her PhD at Aberystwyth University. We wish you every success in your continuing research career. Llongyfarchiadau Mari! 🌱

Come and visit IBERS at the Royal Show to explore Future Fields. Across the week there will be exhibits, activities for children, a large drone on display and opportunities to talk to staff and collaborators about the future of farming and rural innovation. #RWAS #FutureFields

🔬 We’re delighted that IBERS has been chosen to join a new major UK group that will serve as a collective voice for more than 40 science and research organisations. https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/news/news-article/title-288193-en.html

🔬 Rydym yn falch iawn bod IBERS wedi'i dewis i ymuno â grŵp pwysig newydd a fydd yn gwasanaethu fel un llais ar gyfer mwy na 40 o sefydliadau gwyddoniaeth ac ymchwil. https://www.aber.ac.uk/cy/ibers/news/news-article/title-288193-cy.html

This year at the Royal Welsh Show, we’ll be exploring Future Fields — the ideas, innovation and partnerships helping shape the future of farming, land use & rural communities. Join us throughout the week for panel sessions, stand activity, exhibits, interactive elements and more. #FutureFields

The first seed crop of Harvest 2026 is now being combined at Morfa Farm by the IBERS Seed Production Team. Today's crop is AberOpal, a pre-basic hybrid ryegrass. Wishing the team a safe and successful harvest season. 🚜🌾 #Harvest2026 #IBERS #SeedProduction #Ryegrass #AgriculturalResearch

🚜 Today at Groundswell We’re pleased to share that Dr Christina Marley (IBERS) will be part of an informal panel discussion at the LEAF stand, alongside farmers and partners from the NUE-Leg project. 📅 Thursday 2nd July 2026 🕚 11:00 – 12:00 📍 LEAF stand, Pasture Field A1

A new interactive tool from the Wales Innovation Network is helping to showcase and connect net zero expertise across Welsh universities. Mae Rhwydwaith Arloesi Cymru wedi lansio teclyn rhyngweithiol newydd ar gyfer mapio arbenigedd sero net ar draws prifysgolion Cymru. https://ow.ly/qSv950Zjisz

After an early morning start, it’s been getting increasingly busy on the IBERS stand here at #Groundswell, with farmers, consultants and groups from as far afield as Holland, France and Latvia. All fascinated by our research and root displays.

If you’re at Groundswell this week, come and say hello 👋 You’ll find us at Stand MS2 in the Main Marquee, where we’ll be showcasing our display of rhizotrons. These give you a chance to see what’s happening below the surface as well as above. 📍 Do pop by for a chat

Judith Thornton recording today for BBC Radio Wales Science Café (to be broadcast in August), discussing the role of perennial biomass crops and peatland restoration in reaching net zero carbon emissions. 🔗 Read the report: https://ow.ly/aUFN50ZiAj0 #NetZero #ClimateSolutions #Peatlands

Congratulations to the Brecknock YFC team who won the Sustainable Grass and Forage Challenge at the recent Grasslands Event. Thanks to all who participated, we were impressed by the knowledge of all teams, showing they had the essential skills needed in modern grassland, forage and upland systems.

We’re thrilled that Kerrie Farrar has been appointed Germinal Chair in Translational Plant Breeding at IBERS. 🌱 -- Rydyn ni wrth ein bodd bod Kerrie Farrar wedi'i phenodi'n i Gadair Germinal mewn Bridio Planhigion Trosiannol yn IBERS. 🌱 https://ow.ly/U5Vx50Zig88

What a day at IBERS yesterday! We kicked things off with a ‘Theory of Change’ workshop to think about how we create meaningful impact. In the afternoon, we celebrated in the sunshine, a brilliant opportunity to connect and enjoy being part of the IBERS community. Diolch to everyone who joined us!

Am ddiwrnod yn IBERS ddoe! Dechreuwyd gyda gweithdy ‘Theori Newid’ i feddwl am sut rydym yn creu effaith ystyrlon. Yn y prynhawn, dathlwyd yn yr heulwen, cyfle gwych i gysylltu a mwynhau bod yn rhan o gymuned IBERS. Diolch i bawb a ymunodd â ni!

Meet the Team: Mark Needham (Ned) Bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world farming is at the heart of what Mark Needham (better known as Ned) does. #MeetTheTeam #IBERS

The weather played ball today and allowed us to do the drone mission part of a project to look at whether synthetic aperture radar can be used to quantify the rhizome under Miscanthus plants.

IBERS recently hosted a 3-day scale-up workshop at BEACON, giving early-career researchers hands-on experience of pilot-scale biorefining—from ryegrass to single-cell protein 🌱🔬 Bringing lab science closer to real-world impact. https://ow.ly/SrMc50Z9WPO

🚜 International Archives Week | Research that reshaped the uplands This Juno plough was used in the 1930s Cahn Hill Improvement Scheme at Pwllpeiran, where IBERS researchers combined new grass varieties with mechanisation to boost pasture productivity and support food security. #IAW2026

🌿 International Archives Week | Plants pressed, preserved and still studied IBERS’ herbarium collections capture decades of plant diversity. These carefully preserved specimens still inform research today, helping scientists track environmental change and biodiversity loss over time. #IAW2026

🍞 Our researchers have developed an innovative approach to improving the smell of alternative high-protein foods made from fermenting leftover bread crusts with grasses traditionally used to feed livestock. https://ow.ly/vRJu50Z9Smr

🧪 International Archives Week | When scientists built their own tools In the 1960s, much of today’s lab equipment didn’t exist. IBERS researchers designed bespoke apparatus like this hand blown Craig system, helping establish Aberystwyth as a hub for plant hormone research. #IAW2026

We’re at the Cereals Event at Diddly Squat Farm! 🌾 The IBERS team is on the Senova stand, ready to chat about our latest work on oats, beans and crop innovation. #CerealsEvent #IBERS #Oats # Beans #CropResearch #SustainableFarming

Our Seed Production team has been busy sowing pre-basic grass seed crops for harvest in 2027. These early-stage crops are key to developing new forage grass varieties, bred, developed and maintained in partnership with Germinal. #SeedProduction #GrassBreeding #Agriculture

🌾 International Archives Week | A sack of seeds that changed pasture farming This hessian sack holds S.23 seeds, one of the most influential ryegrass varieties developed in Aberystwyth. Released in the 1930s, S.23 helped reshape pasture farming and put IBERS on the global map. #IAW2026

📖 International Archives Week | Inside IBERS’ earliest research records This handwritten ledger was started in 1930 by Sir George Stapledon to record every new grass and clover strain. Long before “QA” was a thing, this meticulous system helped shape modern plant breeding at IBERS. #IAW2026

📦 International Archives Week | What’s hiding in your office? While clearing out my office, I uncovered this photo of the library in the Billiard Room at Gogerddan – a reminder that IBERS’ archives aren’t always catalogued. Desk clutter today, archive tomorrow. More this week 👀 #IAW2026

Great to welcome members of the Welsh Organic Forum to IBERS last week at Plas Gogerddan The group explored how cutting-edge research can support sustainable and organic farming. Thanks to everyone who joined us — we look forward to continuing the conversation!