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School Pupils from Newry, Bessbrook and Crossmaglen were among 43 school teams to take part in the 2026 ABP Angus Youth Challenge exhibition at Balmoral Park in October. The teenagers presented research and ideas on the future of agriculture and food production to a panel of judges. Four new finalist teams will be announced later in November.
in the final of the competition is the team from St Paul's High School Bessbrook
pupils Andrew McNally, Jack Begley, Luke McNally and Cahir McKeown.
The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is delivered by ABP in partnership with the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group. It invites Year 11 pupils to explore agriculture and the wider agri-food industry through research, teamwork and practical learning. Schools do not need a farming background to take part, which makes the Challenge an opportunity for young people from urban and rural communities to learn more about where food comes from and the people, skills and technology involved in producing it.
At the exhibition, pupils presented their work through displays on the issues facing the agri-food sector. Topics ranged from the use of Artificial Intelligence in beef production to animal health and the consumption of beef within global cuisines. The displays showed the breadth of the pupils’ interests in agrifood and their ability to communicate them to the judges.
in the final of the competition is the team from St. Joseph's Highschool, Crossmaglen
pupils Alex Deery, Grace Loye, Ciaran O'Neill and Éadaoin McEneaney.
The exhibition was the semi-final heat in the selection process for four new finalist teams. Each of these teams will receive Angus cross cattle to rear through to finishing, and will keep the proceeds of their sale to ABP during a year long skills development programme.
George Mullan, Managing Director of ABP in NI said, “The ABP Angus Youth Challenge demonstrates what can be achieved when education and the agri-food sectors work together to give young people meaningful opportunities to learn and develop. We are grateful to all those who encourage and support participation in schools, and to the industry representatives who give their time and expertise to judge their displays.”
Charles Smith of Certified Irish Angus added, “We were delighted to have schools from every county in Northern Ireland represented, with both new and returning participants. Their projects demonstrated curiosity, initiative, and a clear ambition to gain a place in the final.”
The successful teams will be announced later this month.
