County Antrim teenagers could win their own mini-herd in ABP Angus Youth Challenge

Helping announce the new call for entries from Co. Antrim pupils in Yr. 11 are the finalists representing Ballymena Academy in this year’s ABP Angus Youth Challenge. This year’s winners will be announced on 22^nd October at an awards ceremony in the Eikon Centre, Balmoral Park.

Year 11 pupils across County Antrim are being invited to put their farming knowledge, ideas and teamwork to the test for the chance to rear their own mini-herd of Angus-cross calves.

Entries have opened for the ABP Angus Youth Challenge, with teams of teenagers aged 14–15 able to compete for places in a programme combining agriculture, education and practical experience of the beef industry.

There is already a strong Ballymena connection to the competition, with pupils from Ballymena Academy among the finalists in this year’s Challenge. The school has also reached the final in previous years.

Calves worth around £3,500

The competition is open to teams of between two and four young people from schools, clubs and societies.

Those who make it through to the finalist stage will get the opportunity to rear their own mini-herd of Angus-cross calves, valued at approximately £3,500.

The teenagers will be supported by a mentor from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) as they gain first-hand experience of livestock production and the beef supply chain.

Importantly for the young participants, finalist teams will also retain the proceeds when their animals are eventually sold to ABP.

Finalists will additionally take part in a farm-to-fork inspiration trip with ABP and Certified Irish Angus, exploring different parts of the beef industry and following the journey from farm through to the consumer.

Learning beyond the classroom

Helping announce the new call for entries from Co. Antrim pupils in Yr. 11 are the finalists representing Ballymena Academy in this year’s ABP Angus Youth Challenge. This year’s winners will be announced on 22^nd October at an awards ceremony in the Eikon Centre, Balmoral Park.

While agriculture is at the heart of the Challenge, organisers say the experience has been designed to complement a much wider range of GCSE subjects.

These include Agriculture, Biology and Science, Geography, Business, Mathematics, English, Home Economics and Learning for Life and Work.

Participants can develop skills in areas including sustainability, food production, numeracy, research, communication, teamwork and presentations.

Training in communication, interview and presentation techniques is also provided, giving the teenagers experience which could prove useful well beyond the competition.

Participation can also count towards the skills section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or Joint Award.

George Mullan, ABP’s Managing Director in Northern Ireland, said:

“We know from participating schools that the programme complements classroom learning across a wide range of GCSE subjects, while giving young people the opportunity to learn more about potential employment in agriculture and the wider food manufacturing sector.”

Charles Smith of Certified Irish Angus said the Challenge was also intended to introduce teenagers to possible careers within Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector.

“The competition is aimed at opening young minds to the opportunities in the agri-food industry, Northern Ireland’s largest private sector employer. Many of our past participants have progressed to relevant courses and degrees and are on a path to or are already working in our industry.”

How County Antrim teenagers can enter

Teams can enter through the ABP Angus Youth Challenge website.

A selection of entrants will then be invited to present their ideas at an exhibition event at Balmoral Park, where a judging panel will decide which teams progress to become finalists.

Beyond the experience, calves and eventual proceeds available to finalist teams, there is another prize at stake: the overall winning team will receive £1,000 for the benefit of their school or club.

For County Antrim’s young people considering a future in farming or the wider agri-food industry, the Challenge offers an opportunity to move beyond the classroom and experience the sector first-hand — with the prospect of following Ballymena Academy’s pupils into the final.