Congratulations to Semi-finalists in our 2022 Exhibition at Balmoral Park

The views that concern teenagers most about beef farming and the local agrifood industry resounded throughout the Logan Hall during our 2022 Exhibition at Halloween. 83 teenagers travelled from across Northern Ireland to represent their school. The displays were jam-packed with creativity, innovation and solutions to the issues facing the sector today.

For a place in the next ABP Angus Youth finalist programme they have to impress a panel of 20 judges drawn from the agriculture and education sectors.

Congratulating the 25 teams that took part, Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland, George Mullan said,

“The ABP Angus Youth Challenge gives a voice to young people who are interested in and want to make a difference to Northern Ireland’s agrifood sector. They are the future of our industry. We want to engage with them on their ideas. This exhibition offers them a showcase for their ideas and an opportunity to share their views with many of the leading organisations within our sector.”

The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is delivered by ABP in partnership with the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group. General Manager Charles Smith added,

“On behalf of the judging panel, I would like to commend our young exhibitors on their knowledge of Angus beef production and the passion they demonstrated for many aspects of Northern Ireland’s great farming and food heritage. This competition enables young people to explore for themselves the facts about local farming and beef - not all of which are conveyed accurately through social media. It also equips them with the skills to succeed in their aspirations to work in our sector.”

Cookstown & Newtownhamilton High Schools are our 2022 Joint Winners

Cookstown High School and Newtownhamilton High School have become joint winners of the 2022 ABP Angus Youth Challenge.

The Cookstown High School team impressed the judges with their passion for agriculture. During the Challenge, John-Mark McCrea, William Hamilton and Ben Smyton who are in Yr. 12 focused on ‘Sustainable Agriculture Delivering for the Community.’ They wanted to bridge the knowledge-gap they believe exists between farmers who rear high-quality, grass-fed cattle and the consumer’s understanding of beef production. Their project presented a positive manifesto for agriculture. They promoted the importance of farming and food production in the U.K. and the beneficial role that agriculture plays in the community along with how to integrate concern for the environment into food production.

Meanwhile Aimee McCombe, Ellen Bailie and Sophie McKnight from Newtownhamilton High School explored ‘Sustainable Beef Consumption and the Young Consumer.’

With the support of their Home Economics teacher, this Yr. 11. trio looked at the nutritional value of beef with an emphasis on its vitamin content. They explored young people’s understanding of the vitamins that can acquired from consuming beef and implemented awareness-raising activities including a book of beef recipes. They also organized a Farm to Fork Festival and Tractor Run in their local community, which along with in-school fund-raising, raised £7,000 for ABP’s charity partner Air Ambulance NI as a result of a raffle support of many local businesses.

 The winners received their trophies and a £1,000 cheque for each school from Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland, George Mullan and the General Manager of the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group, Charles Smith. Congratulating the winners Mr Mullan said,

“This competition challenges young minds to uncover the facts about beef production for themselves. It gives them the chance to actively experience and benefit from Angus beef farming and to develop the skills needed to work in our sector.  I am delighted to see recognition continue to grow within the our schools community for the beneficial influence and impact the Challenge is having on a diverse range of young people and for the positive profile it is providing for agriculture as a subject or a career choice.”

 This year’s Runners-up were Dalriada School, Ballymoney and St Catherine’s College Armagh. Outstanding Individual Achievement Awards went to Lois McCurdy from Dalriada School (Summer teams) and Jonathan Burrows from Cookstown High School (Winter team).

The awards ceremony took place in the Logan Hall Balmoral Park in front of assembled guests of teachers, parents and industry stakeholders.