Two Year 12 pupils from Ballymena Academy were announced as overall winners of the 2026 ABP Angus Youth Challenge at an awards ceremony and exhibition held at Balmoral Park today (22 October). They received the ABP Angus Youth Challenge Cup and a £1,000 cash prize for their school.
Samantha Dunlop and Katie McNeilly impressed the judges with their project exploring how genetics can help improve the sustainability and profitability of beef production. Their research examined how genomic information and genetic indexes can help farmers make better-informed breeding decisions, including the selection of cattle for calving ease, growth, carcass quality and finishing times.
Taking their project to the wider farming community Samantha and Katie organised a Farmers’ Supper for local farmers and industry representatives to discuss livestock genetics and produced a practical guide to help explain genetic selection. The judges were particularly impressed with the pupils’ curiosity, energy and joyful approach throughout the Challenge.
The team from Blessed Trinity College in North Belfast finished the Challenge as runners-up. With no direct experience of farming, Brooke Devlin, Hayleigh Hayles, Callum O’Neill and Deaghlán McFarlane explored how better understanding of food production could help connect their urban community with agriculture under their theme entitled ‘Where Our Food Comes From.’
With support from their teacher as host farmer, the pupils gained practical experience of rearing their own Angus cattle.
They then took their learning back into their own community bringing their cattle to the school’s Open Night. The team also developed a Farm to Fork Roadshow for local primary schools, using interactive activities to explain food production, animal welfare and agricultural careers.
The judges recognised the pupils’ efforts to bridge the gap in understanding between farming and urban communities. Embarking on a steep learning curve about farming, they were able to capture the attention and curiosity of their school and North Belfast community.
The Outstanding Achievement by an Individual award went to Gráinne Anderson from St Patrick’s High School, Keady. Gráinne was recognised for her contribution to her team’s project exploring how technology can support a more gender-equal future in agriculture.
Alongside teammates Minnie McKee and Sally McKee, Grainne investigated how technology can reduce physical demands, improve efficiency and create opportunities for women across the agricultural sector.
The judges described Grainne as an outstanding ambassador for the Challenge and women in farming.
Also in the final were St Patrick’s College, Dungannon, comprising Gary Gillespie, Dara Cush and Darragh McCann. Their project examined the value of grazing systems in sustainable Angus beef production, comparing grass-based and forage-based approaches and considering their implications for animal performance, production costs and the environment.
All four finalists teams have also now pocketed the proceeds of their sale of their animals to ABP.
The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is delivered by ABP in partnership with the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group. Speaking at the ceremony, ABP’s Managing Director in Northern Ireland, George Mullan and Charles Smith, General Manager of Certified Irish Angus congratulated all the finalists on their achievements.
Farmer and rugby player Sophie McAllister joined the event as guest speaker, sharing insights from her own experiences in agriculture and sport.
The awards ceremony was followed by the ABP Angus Youth Challenge exhibition, where 43 school teams presented their early-stage project ideas to judges as they compete for places in the next final.
Ballymena Academy’s Katie McNeilly and Samantha Dunlop: 2026 Overall Winners
Runners up Blessed Trinity College, Belfast
Grainne Anderson, St. Patrick’s High Schools Keady, Winner of the 2026 Individual Achievement Award
