We’re proud to share that the ABP Angus Youth Challenge has been shortlisted for a 2025 Business Eye Sustainability & ESG Award.

This nomination recognises the impact of the programme in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) category—highlighting how the Challenge supports young people across Northern Ireland to build skills for the future of sustainable farming and a future in the agrifood sector.

Through the ABP Angus Youth Challenge, school teams get the chance to rear their own mini herd of Angus cross calves, develop business plans, and explore real-world topics like sustainability in beef production. With the backing of ABP and our partner Certified Irish Angus, participants also grow their confidence, teamwork and communication skills throughout the year-long experience.

Being shortlisted is a strong endorsement of the passion, effort and innovation shown by our participants, their teachers, families, and everyone who helps make the programme possible.

Let’s keep showing what young people in agriculture can achieve!

Our four school teams competing in the 2015 ABP Angus Youth Challenge had a seriously cool experience recentlyspending the day at Cool FM / Downtown Radio for an exclusive media training workshop!

The finalists in the 2025 competition are well on their journey, rearing their own mini herd of Angus cross calves and exploring sustainable beef farming in Northern Ireland. But now, they’ve learned how to share their story with the world.

With help from Cool FM’s Paulo Ross, Downtown Country’s Victoria Quinn, and Bauer Media’s Head of Creative Keith Law, students discovered how to turn their agri-projects into scroll-stopping content. They explored digital storytelling, how to work the social media algorithms, and even recorded their own audio scripts with studio mics.

Wayne Denner, a tech expert, was also on hand to guide the teams on staying safe online when creating smart, attention-grabbing social media content. These skills should help them smash it on and off the farm.

George Mullan, MD of ABP Northern Ireland, said it best:

“As the next generation steps up to shape the future of farming and agrifood, equipping them with the tools to communicate is essential.”

The ABP Angus Youth Challenge, run in partnership with Certified Irish Angus, isn’t just about farming—it’s about building confidence, creativity, and communication skills that go way beyond the field.

Want to follow the teams’ journey? Keep an eye on their socials over the next few months—you might just see some future media stars in the making.

ABP Angus Youth Challenge Nominated for 2025 Business Eye Award

Finalists Get a Taste of Media Life at Cool FM & Downtown Radio