Schools Shine at 2021 Semi-Final

The role of genetics and grass-based systems in helping reduce carbon emissions from beef farming; the advantage of marketing Northern Ireland’s family farm tradition and animal welfare standards to today’s consumer were just some of the topics presented by this year’s semi-finalists in the ABP Angus Youth Challenge.

11 teams took part in this year’s semi-final and judging which took place online due to Covid-19 restrictions. The schools represented were: Ballymena Academy; Cookstown High, who entered two teams; Dalriada School; Enniskillen Royal Grammar who also entered two teams and are building on the legacy of the 2019 team who were Runners-up in the competition; Friends School Lisburn; the Royal School Armagh; St Kevin’s College Lisnaskea; St Patrick’s Maghera and finally Wallace High School who is also an award contender’ from the Class of 2019.

Congratulating the participants on reaching this year’s semi-final, Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland, George Mullan said,

“ABP would like to congratulate all the semi-finalists for taking part in the competition during an exceptionally challenging time in their school-lives. I would also like to acknowledge the support of the schools and their families in helping them prepare so well for the judging interviews.”

The teams that will progress through to the finalist programme will be announced in June. For those teams that do make it through, their prize from ABP will be winning five Aberdeen Angus cross calves to rear through to finishing over an 18-month skills development programme. They will benefit financially from the sale of their calves to ABP and one overall winning team at the end of the programme will also receive a £1,000 cash prize for their school.

The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is organised in partnership with the Northern Irish Angus Producer Group. Its General Manager Charles Smith added, “On behalf of the judging panel, I would like to commend all the pupils for their impressive research into Angus beef production and the passion they demonstrated for many aspects of Northern Ireland’s rich farming and agri-food heritage.” Helping judge this year’s semi-final were representatives from the Livestock & Meat Commission NI and the CAFRE.

All-Ireland Award for ABP Angus Youth Challenge Campaign

The PR & Marketing of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge has been recognised with an award for ‘Best Targeted Campaign’ in the Agri Guild Awards. The biennial programme is organised by the Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland and aims to encourage excellence in the reporting and communication of farming, food and rural life on the island of Ireland.

 There were over 200 submissions in total for this round of awards. The winning campaign was the only Northern Ireland entry to make the shortlist in its category, beating off competition from three other campaigns to win.

 Commenting on the entries chair of the judging panel Johnny O’Hanlon, Director of Local Ireland said:

 “While this has been an extraordinarily difficult year, it certainly didn’t deter the enthusiasm of journalists and industry communicators, judging by the volume of entries received across all categories and that the judges were struck by the high calibre of entries across the categories.”

 The award ceremony took place online due to Covid-19 restrictions and featured an address by the Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue.

 He commented:

 “To be recognised by your peers as being the best in any field is something that professionals strive for their entire career but only a few can achieve. To win an award of this nature is a tremendous achievement.”

“I am heartened by the state of the agricultural media at present – storytelling is needed more than ever and to have such a depth of talent in the sector can only be good for us as consumers of media. I congratulate all involved in the Guild of Agricultural Journalists Awards and I extend a special word of note to all the winners.”

The ABP Angus Youth Challenge was introduced in Northern Ireland by ABP and its partner the Northern Irish Angus Producer Group in 2017 to help bridge the gap between education and employment for young people interested in working in the agri-food sector here. Its sister arm in the Republic of Ireland, Certified Irish Angus has been running a successful schools competition for several years there which ABP also co-sponsor.