Finalists in the APB Angus Youth Challenge setting off for England on their study tour. Picture: Cliff Donaldson

The ABP Angus Youth Challenge won ‘Best Promotional Agricultural Initiative’ at the 2019 Farming Life Awards Ceremony on 24 October to reward outstanding talent, excellence and contributions to the sector. The award was presented in recognition of how the ABP Angus Youth Challenge showcases the agri-industry by developing young people interested in working in agri-food and promotes a positive profile of the farming and the beef production sector to the wider general public.

This is the third year of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge which is organised in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Angus Producer Group. Eight school teams from across Northern Ireland are currently engaged in the skills development programme which includes rearing Angus cross calves through to finishing and working on innovative projects that benefit the local supply chain.

Last week the 2019 ABP Angus Youth Challenge finalists from Aughnacloy College, Fivemiletown College, the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and Wallace High School were flown to ABP’s state of the art facility at Ellesmere on a farm to fork study tour to learn more about the company’s sustainable approach to meat production including its renewables division Olleco which converts waste into renewable fuel. There was also a visit to of one of ABP’s exemplary Angus Blade Farms and one of their retail customers.

As part of the competition, the pupils have to work on projects that support the meat production sector. They also have to rear five Aberdeen Angus cross calves to beef, given to them by ABP and sell them to the meat processor for a profit. Entries are still open for more teenagers aged 14-16 years old to compete for a place on the programme, visit www.abpangusyouthchallenge.com for more information.