The team from Cambridge House Grammar School: Rebekah Millar and Joanna Curran
Three County Antrim schools are competing for a place in the final of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge, a year-long agri-skills development programme for 14-15 year olds.
Ballymena Academy, Cambridge House Grammar School and St Killian’s College were amongst the 31 school teams in total that took part in the semi final exhibition held in the Logan Hall, Balmoral Park recently (27th October 2023).
The teenagers had to pitch their ideas and knowledge of farming and beef production to a panel of judges in the hope of being one of four teams to make the final stage of the competition which is organised by the meat processor ABP and Certified Irish Angus.
The team from Ballymena Academy: James Stewart and Isaac Close
Commenting on the event, George Mullan, Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland said:
“We are delighted to see such a range of young people from all over the province taking part from both urban and rural communities. Our exhibition offers ambitious teenagers a chance to share their interests and views on agriculture and red meat production with us and other leading representatives of our industry.”
Those that get through to the final stage will win a mini herd of calves to rear and will be able to pocket the proceeds from their sale to ABP.
One overall winning team will also win a further £1,000 cash prize for their school or club. As part of their finalist development programme, they will be challenged to work on research assignments relating to sustainability with the support of a CAFRE mentor and take part in an international study tour with ABP.
The team from St Killian's College: Lucy McKeown, Patrick McKeown, Patrick Irvine and Sorch Carey
The team from St Killian's College: Tierna McLaughlin, Maria McNaughton, Kirsty McCollum and Claire Quinn
Certified Irish Angus Producer Group’s General Manager Charles Smith added:
“Alongside ABP, we are committed to developing the next generation of young people who want to work in agriculture and food. The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is supporting and promoting pathways into further education and employment in our sector. It highlights the various roles and opportunities that exist and it is helping raise the profile of this exciting career choice in schools.”
Awards were also presented to the outgoing Class of 2022 finalists. St. Killian’s College Carnlough were the Overall Winners and the recipients of £1,000 for their school. Runners up were Down High School and the Individual Achievement Award went to Orlagh Donaghy from St. Louis Grammar School Ballymena.
ABP is one of the leading agri-food companies in Northern Ireland with sites in Newry & Lurgan, as well as ABP Linden Foods in Dungannon and Kettyle Irish Foods in Lisnaskea. The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is an award-winning skills development initiative for teenagers established in 2018. It is part of ABP’s commitment to promoting agricultural education and sustainability, by fostering partnerships between academia and the agricultural community. ABP UK is a Youth Friendly Employer and a member of Youth Employment UK.