Ballymena Academy reaches final of ABP Angus Youth Challenge

Ballymena Academy pupils Samantha Dunlop and Katie McNeilly who are through to the final stage of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge

Ballymena Academy has secured a place in the final of the prestigious ABP Angus Youth Challenge, with two Year 11 pupils set to take on an innovative project aimed at advancing genetic literacy in beef production.

The announcement was made today via YouTube, where pupils Samantha Dunlop and Katie McNeilly learned that their school had qualified for the concluding stage of the competition.

Their project will explore how breeding information and genomic data can be made more accessible to farmers, at a time when data-driven selection is becoming increasingly crucial to herd performance.

The team aims to examine practical methods for producers to use breeding insights to improve efficiency and long-term sustainability across the sector.

Calves to Arrive Before Christmas

As part of their reward for reaching the final, Ballymena Academy’s students—along with three other finalist teams—will receive a group of Angus cross calves before Christmas. They will rear the animals through to sale to ABP.

The competing finalist schools are:

• St Patrick’s College, Dungannon

• St Patrick’s High School, Keady

• Blessed Trinity College, North Belfast

The programme, delivered by ABP in partnership with the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group, provides a hands-on learning route for young people with an interest in agriculture, food production and the beef supply chain.

Finalists who go on to sell their finished cattle to ABP benefit from significant financial rewards, while the overall winning school receives a £1,000 cheque.

Judges Praise Quality of Entries

This year’s judging panel commended the commitment and ingenuity shown by participating schools.

George Mullan, Managing Director of ABP in Northern Ireland, said:

“The calibre of entries this year was outstanding. The challenge encourages teenagers to engage with real issues facing our industry.

“With a blend of rural and urban teams in the final stage, with and without family farming backgrounds, we are looking forward to how these schools not only make the most of the Challenge but also how they share their different perspectives and get to know each other when they join us for training and our study trip.”

CAFRE’s beef advisory unit will support all four finalist teams as they raise their Angus cross calves, offering expert guidance and giving the young participants first-hand insight into sustainable beef production in practice.

The finalist announcement video can be viewed on YouTube below.