Co Tyrone teenagers invited to compete for place in award-winning ABP Angus Youth Challenge
Teenagers in Year 11 from across County Tyrone are being invited to enter the award-winning ABP Angus Youth Challenge, while St Patrick’s College, Dungannon, is in the final of this year's Challenge.
The initiative offers 14-15-year-olds from schools, clubs and societies a unique opportunity to develop practical, academic and personal skills while gaining hands-on experience of the beef supply chain.
The competition is open to teams of two to four teenagers. Teams selected to reach the final stage will have the opportunity to rear their own mini-herd of Angus-cross calves, valued at approximately £3,500, with guidance from a College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) mentor. They will also retain the proceeds from the sale of their animals to ABP. As an additional reward, finalist teams will embark on an exclusive farm-to-fork inspiration trip with ABP and Certified Irish Angus, giving them the opportunity to see different aspects of the beef industry and broaden their understanding of the journey of beef from farm to consumer.
The Challenge is designed to complement students' GCSE studies through practical learning and real-world experiences. It supports learning across a broad range of GCSE subjects, including Agriculture, Biology/Science, Geography, Business, Mathematics, English, Home Economics and Learning for Life and Work (LLW).
From livestock production, sustainability and the food chain to numeracy, communication, research, teamwork and presentation skills, the Challenge offer the chance to broaden classroom learning and gain experience of best practice techniques in beef farming.
As well as academic benefits, the finalist programme provides training in communication, presentation and interview techniques, helping students develop transferable skills and confidence that can support them in school and when seeking employment.