In a recent announcement on social media, Certified Irish Angus has revealed the details of the five chosen schools who will rear 5 Irish Aberdeen Angus calves for 18 months as part of a unique competition.
The Irish Angus Schools Competition is run in association with ABP and Kepak with the aim of encouraging second-level students to gain an understanding of the process of rearing and producing high-quality Angus beef.
Chosen schools
The 2020 finalist school groups are:
- Boherbue Comprehensive School: Amy Walsh, David Kenny and Rachel Breen presented a proposed project idea which explored the docility of the Irish Angus breed.
- Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon: Rachel Maguire, Aileen Briody, Ciara Gavigan and Kate Mulvey expressed an interest in the benefits of using Irish Angus beef over other breeds.
- Gorey Community School: Eoin Kelly, Caoimhe Crean, Caoimhe Horan and Padraig Kinsella submitted a project idea that focussed on promoting Irish Angus beef as an additional product for the farmer.
- Carrick-On-Shannon Community School: Grace McKeon and Jane Cart impressed the judges with their views on farm safety and how Angus cattle can make the farm a safer place to work.
- The Abbey School, Tipperary Town: Sean Gubbins, Liam Hayes, Darragh Barlow, Conor Farrell and Michael Comon designed a proposal about how to promote the quality of Angus beef to the wider community.
Speaking after the announcement, Charles Smith, general manager, Certified Irish Angus said, “We are thrilled to announce our finalists for the competition this year, despite the schools being closed at this time.”
“The standard of applicants this year was exceptional, and it was a tough decision to choose just five finalists! We are very much looking forward to watching these finalist groups progress in the competition over the next 18 months.”
Competition process
Each school will receive 5 Irish Angus calves in September 2020, which they will rear for 18 months.
They will also be tasked with completing a research project linked to the senior-cycle agricultural science curriculum, focusing on a particular aspect of farming and beef production.
Each of the finalists will receive the financial benefit involved in the selling of the animals to the processors on completion of the project. The winning students also receive an additional grant of €2,000 for their further education.
