The six finalists of the Irish Angus beef school competition were presented with the passports for their calves at the National Ploughing Championships 2018. Tim Dunne of the Irish Angus Producer Group (IAPG) said the young people involved were a force to be reckoned with.

He praised the students and their parents but also their teachers for playing a vital role in the formation and guidance of the participants. Anna May McHugh of the NPA praised the competition organisers for the opportunity they gave to young people.

Enthusiasm

As each school was presented with the passports for their calves by Miriam O’Callaghan, they expressed a clear sense of enthusiasm at the prospect of raising their animals. Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, IAPG general manager Charles Smith said getting young people involved would be vital for not just their breed but all farming sectors.

The students have each researched a certain topic relating to the Angus breed. These ranged from sustainability in the Burren to the suitability of the breed to marginal land in Cavan.

Schools

The competition is run along with partners ABP and Kepak. The schools involved are: St Ita’s Special School, Drogheda, Co Louth; Roscommon Community College, Lisnamult, Co Roscommon; Royal School, Cavan Town, Co Cavan; St Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School, Navan Co Meath; Mary Immaculate Secondary School, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare; and Colaiste Treasa, Kanturk Co Cork.