14 teams from across the province have competed in this year’s semi-final of the ABP Youth Challenge, an agri-food skills development initiative for teenagers.
Judging of the semi-finalists took place online next week due to Covid 19 restrictions. Teams presented their ideas and displays on camera to convince a panel of independent judges of their knowledge of premium Northern Irish Angus beef production and their interest in aspects of the local beef supply chain.
The judging panel was drawn from leading organisations across the farming, agri-food and education sectors including ASDA, Queen’s University Belfast; Southern Regional College; the Ulster Farmers Union; the Livestock and Meat Commission; Ulster Bank; DAERA; CAFRE, and Business in the Community NI.
The teams that progress on to the next stage will benefit from an 18-month skills development programme. Under the guidance of ABP and the NI Angus Producer Group the finalists will be rewarded with a hands-on experience of rearing their own Angus cross calves and profiting from their sale to ABP; whilst gaining employability skills and knowledge of the beef industry. They will rear their calves to ABP’s sustainable Blade Farming protocols which prioritise efficiency and carcass quality at an earlier finishing age. The proceeds of the sale of each team’s calves to ABP will be awarded to each group. One overall winning team will also receive a £1,000 cash prize for their school.
This year’s semi-finalists are aged between 14-16 years old and represent:
Ballymena Academy; Ballycastle High School (2 teams); Banbridge Academy; Belfast Royal Academy, Castle Tower Special School Ballymena; Cookstown High School; Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle; Dalriada Ballymoney; Gaelcholáiste Dhoire Dungiven; Magherafelt High School; Omagh Academy; Royal School Armagh; and Saintfield High.
Commenting on the company’s continued commitment to the initiative, Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland, George Mullan said, “ABP is committed to playing its part in developing the next generation for a sustainable of the local agri-food sector. The ABP Angus Youth Challenge aims to help bridge the gap between school and employment. We’re delighted so many schools can take part during these challenging times. ABP appreciates the support of the principals and teachers to the competition. I would also like to thank the judges and the organisations they represent. It is a clear signal of the benefits the competition brings to young people.”
The schools currently engaged in the 2019 – 2021 finalist programme are Aughnacloy College, Fivemiletown College, the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and Wallace High School.
The 2021 competition is now open for new entries.
George Mullan, Managing Director of ABP Northern Ireland