The award-winning ABP Angus Youth Challenge is back! We’re offering 14-15 year olds (in Yr.11) across Northern Ireland the chance to rear their own mini-herd of Angus-cross calves and learn what it takes to bring beef from farm to fork.
Run by ABP in partnership with Certified Irish Angus, the programme is open to teams of two to four individuals, representing a school, club or society. Entrants don't need a farm to take part. A host farm can be arranged for finalist teams.
Each team that reaches the final stage will be given five Angus cross calves worth around £3,500, with hands-on mentoring from a College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) advisor. The teams get to keep the proceeds when the animals are sold to ABP. Finalists also get a farm-to-fork trip with ABP and Certified Irish Angus, seeing first-hand how ABP’s supply chain works.
The Challenge supports a wide spread of GCSE subjects from Agriculture, Biology and Science, to Geography, Business, Maths, English, Home Economics and Learning for Life and Work. The teams are given a practical, real-world grounding in topics such as livestock production, sustainability and the food chain, alongside being able to practice their numeracy, research, communication and teamwork skills.
Finalists receive training in communication, presentation and interview techniques, skills that carry over well beyond the Challenge itself and into job-seeking and further study. Participation counts towards the skills section of the Duke of Edinburgh/Joint Award.
How to enter
Teams enter via this website by completing an entry form.
They must then submit a video to sell themselves and their ideas. The shortlisted entrants showcase their ideas at a high-profile event at Balmoral Park in October, where judges choose the finalists.
The overall winning team at the end of the year-long Challenge takes home £1,000 for their school or club.
For queries or support contact schools@certifiedirishangus.ie.
