Although most pupils at Belfast Royal Academy are not from farms, over 20 pupils applied to be part of the school’s five-member team for the ABP Angus Youth Challenge.

Student Rachel Duff said that the opportunity to learn about agriculture was her main reason for entering the competition.

“I was interested in veterinary when we started the competition, but it has opened up so many other career options in the agri sector,” she said.

“I always wanted to do business, but I had never thought about the whole business behind the farming industry. I have found it really interesting, so it has changed my thinking about what I’m going to do,” said other student, Lorcan Convery.

The calves are kept on a farm near Stewartstown which belongs to Belfast Royal Academy biology teacher Dr Andrew Bell. The pupils visit the farm regularly to work with the calves and learn other general farm skills, such as tractor driving.

The team’s project is farm finance which involves researching how farms can be financed by banks, but also the potential of other investors to put money into farm businesses.

Pupils involved: Hannah Hill, Charlotte Storey, Rachel Duff, Lorcan Convery and Lavia Meeke.