Two pupils from the Wallace High School, Lis-
burn, have become 2021
Overall Winners of the
ABP Angus Youth Chall-enge and the recipients of a £1,000 cheque for their school.
Emma Turner and Samantha Todd’s award is the culmination of a two-year competitive process against teams from three other schools.
It has seen them rear a mini-herd of Angus cross calves through to beef, selling them to ABP for a profit and completing detailed farm-to-fork research assignments.
Emma and Samantha’s pro-ject was on ‘The roles and opportunities for women in agri-culture’.
Emma Turner is from Lisburn and Samantha Todd lives in Ballynahinch. Both are from farming families and reared their calves on the farm of Emma’s grandfather near Ballymena.
“The competition has encour-aged and inspired us to work in this amazing industry, so much so that we have both begun relief milking at least three times a week and love every minute,” they said.
“We have made lifelong friends, created unforgettable memories, learnt and developed new skills and grown in confidence, but alongside this we have developed as young women in agriculture.”
The pupils were notified of their success by the Ireland Ladies Hockey Captain, and ABP Angus Youth Ambassador, Katie Mullan during a special Awards Show commissioned by ABP.
The Runner-up in the competition was Fivemiletown College. This team focused on ‘Family farming systems and their benefit to the community’.
One aspect of this work was promoting the importance of supporting each other’s mental health. Team member Megan Roberts was recognised by the judges for composing a poem on the topic.
The Outstanding Individual Achievement Award went to Aughnacloy College team member Molly Bradley, who is now a student at CAFRE Greenmount.
Molly impressed the judges from the outset with her passion and enthusiasm for a future career in agriculture.
There are a further five ABP Angus Youth Challenge teams taking part in the finalist programme currently: Ballymena Academy, Castle Tower School, Cross and Passion Ballycastle, Magherafelt High School and Omagh Academy.
In addition, four new finalists teams will receive their calves from ABP and the Northern Irish Angus Producer Group at an outdoor event on June 11 at Balmoral Park.
Commenting on the benefits of the competition to young people, Katie Mullan said: “It is a brilliant opportunity to work as a team
on something you care about; learn more about yourself and could open doors for you in the future.”
Patricia Carruthers, teacher at Wallace High School, said the competition had been fantastic for the girls and the wider school community.
“The entire student body engaged enthusiastically with all the different competitions and events.
“Students were always keen to hear about the progress of the calves both for the house competition and in class as part of their studies.
“As a biology teacher it has been great to have examples that all students can relate to and engage with when we discuss agricultural processes.
Fellow Wallace teacher Barbara McKee said the competition had “brought the countryside to town”.
“It has also inspired students to study GCSE Agriculture and Land Use and raised the profile of farming and the agricultural sector,” she said.
“The girls have been trans-formed by this competition. Their confidence has grown dramatically, and they have developed so many skills there are too many to mention.
“Their friendship has definitely deepened. I am so proud of what they have achieved so far.”
ABP is a leading agri-food business throughout the UK and Ireland with beef and lamb processing sites in Newry and Lurgan.
It also operates under joint venture with Fane Valley with respect to Linden Foods in Dungannon.
The ABP Angus Youth Challenge will open for entries again in September 2021.
Register interest at www.abpangusyouthchallenge.com
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