Omagh Academy’s farming champs celebrate

A GROUP of pupils from Omagh Academy is taking the ABP Angus Youth Challenge Cup home to Tyrone for their winning project on ‘Exploring the potential of a low carbon Angus beef brand’.

Joshua Keys, Tori Robson, James Fleming, Jill Liggett and Allister Crawford had been taking part in the ABP Angus Youth Challenge finalist programme since 2020, along with four other teams from across the North.

The Omagh Academy team impressed the judges with their understanding of the challenges to the climate posed by emissions, and their ability to convey in a practical and positive way, the steps farmers can take to mitigate the impact of livestock production to produce sustainable beef for consumers.

Minister for Education, Michelle McIlveen, attended the event as guest of honour.

She said, “The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is a wonderful example of school/ employer engagement and activity. It demonstrates a shared interest in, and shared responsibility for, the future of the young people involved. Through collaboration there is a mutual benefit for both the young people and for employers who share their expertise with the future workforce.

“I have no doubt that the ABP Angus Youth Challenge has and will continue to enhance the learning experiences and employability skills of the young people involved.”

The competition is delivered by the agri-food company ABP in partnership with the Northern Irish Angus Producer Group.

Presenting the Omagh Academy team with a cheque for £1,000 for their school, managing director of ABP in Northern Ireland, George Mullan said, “We introduced the ABP Angus Youth Challenge so that young people could gain
skills and a practical experience of our sector.

“Notwithstanding the pandemic, we were determined that the ABP Angus Youth Challenge would continue to nurture the skills and experience necessary for the world of work.”