ABP Angus Youth Challenge Clips

The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is delivered by the agrifood business ABP in partnership with the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group. Speaking at the awards ceremony, at which Ballymena Academy were announced as winners, ABP’s Managing Director in Northern Ireland, George Mullan  congratulates all the finalists on their achievements. Throughout the ABP Angus Youth Challenge participants strengthen their knowledge, communication, teamwork and leadership skills while building lasting relationships with fellow finalists, mentors, farmers, processors, educators and industry leaders. In addition to winning Angus cross calves to rear, they win a study tour which is a much sought-after highlight for those fortunate enough to reach the final.

Two Year 12 pupils from Ballymena Academy were recently announced as overall winners of the 2026 ABP Angus Youth Challenge at an awards ceremony outside Belfast. They received the ABP Angus Youth Challenge Cup and a £1,000 cash prize for their school. 

Samantha Dunlop and Katie McNeilly impressed the judges with their year-long project exploring how genetics can help improve the sustainability and profitability of beef production. Their research examined how genomic information and genetic indexes can help farmers make better-informed breeding decisions, including the selection of cattle for calving ease, growth, carcass quality and finishing times.

Taking their project to the wider farming community Samantha and Katie organised a Farmers’ Supper for local farmers and industry representatives to discuss livestock genetics and produced a practical guide to help explain genetic selection. The judges were particularly impressed with the pupils’ curiosity, energy and joyful approach throughout the Challenge.  Well done both!

The ABP Angus Youth Challenge finalists from St. Patrick’s College Dungannon were recognised at the Balmoral Show recently for their successful social media promotion during NI Beef Week. The boys produced an informative video about Northern Irish Farm Quality Assured Beef featuring a local chef which they posted to You Tube and achieved. The pupils were presented with their prizes on the ABP stand by the judges ABP, Certified Irish Angus, Downtown Radio and the Livestock and Meat Commission.