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Aimee McCombe, Ellen Bailie and Sophie McKnight from Newtownhamilton High School have been declared joint winners in the 2022 ABP Angus Youth Challenge sharing the accolade with a team of Yr. 12 pupils from Cookstown High School. The Newtownhamilton winning project was ‘Sustainable Beef Consumption and the Young Consumer.’ The team researched and promoted the nutritional value of beef with an emphasis on its vitamin content. They explored young people’s understanding of the vitamins that can be 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. .
Both teams 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 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.
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. Meanwhile 24 teams took part in the ABP Angus Youth Challenge for the chance to take part in the next finalist programme and win their own Angus cross calves to rear.
