ABP and Certified Irish Angus four finalist school teams in the 2025-2026 ABP Angus Youth Challenge have been announced. Ballymena Academy are no strangers to the competition having reached the final before. This year’s finalist duo will be working on a project focusing on genetic literacy in beef production and how breeding information can be made more accessible for farmers. With genomics and data-driven selection playing an ever-increasing role in herd performance, the team hopes to explore practical ways for producers to use breeding information to improve efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Blessed Trinity College in North Belfast have also secured a place in the final. This is the first time the school has entered the competition. The team of four plan to use their urban setting as a platform to strengthen consumer understanding of the farm-to-fork journey. Despite having no farming background, this team aims to help the North Belfast community better understand how local Angus beef is produced, responding to growing consumer interest in traceability, sustainability and food provenance.

Also in the final for the first time, the team from St. Patrick’s College, Dungannon, will investigate how increasingly variable weather patterns in Northern Ireland affect beef farming. Gary Gillespie, Dara Cush and Darragh McCann intend to examine the strengths and vulnerabilities of grass-based versus forage-based production systems. This topic addresses the challenges faced by livestock farms coping with unpredictable seasons and the need for climate-resilient systems.

The fourth finalist school is St. Patrick’s High School, Keady. Representing their school in the final for the first time - this team of three will explore how use of technology can break down barriers and create opportunities for all in farming and the wider agri-food industry. With succession, skills and talent important to the sector’s future this team intend to champion diversity and generational renewal.

Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland George Mullan said:

“The calibre of entries this year was outstanding. The challenge encourages teenagers to engage with real issues facing our industry. With a blend of rural and urban teams in the final stage, with and without family farming backgrounds, we are looking forward to how these schools not only make the most of the Challenge but also how they share their different perspectives and get to know each other when they join us for training and our study trip.”

CAFRE’s beef advisory unit will be supporting the four finalist teams as they rear their Angus cross calves and gain direct experience of what sustainable beef production looks like in practice.