Laois students exhibit their expertise in Croke Park

Students from secondary schools in Portlaoise and Mountmellick have exhibited their projects in a national competition that aims to promote quality beef production on Irish farms.

Now in its 12th year, the Certified Irish Angus Schools competition has attracted over 1,000 students from 361 groups across 25 counties, blending practical learning and research skills to support students' career development.

The organisers say the competition in association with ABP and Kepak, challenges students to rear five Irish Angus calves for beef production for two years. It aims to promote the Certified Irish Angus brand while communicating the care and attention required to produce quality beef for consumers.

Teams from Portlaoise College and Mountmellick Community School exhibited to judges at Croke Park on Friday, March 6. 

Sarah Hibbitts, Katie Mahon, Lily Conroy, Eimear Redmond represented the Mountmellick school while Katerina Kolesnikova, Nadia Hadenrajch, Olga Kozajiewicz, and Taylor Dowling flew the flag for Portlaoise College.

Pictured: Sarah Hibbitts, Katie Mahon, Lily Conroy, Eimear Redmond of Mountmellick Community School.

Pictured: Katerina Kolesnikova, Nadia Hadenrajch, Olga Kozajiewicz, and Taylor Dowling of Portlaoise College.

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Farming experts are currently judging the next batch of potential entrants from a pool of 53 shortlisted schools. The judges include representatives from right across the agri-food industry ABP, Kepak, Tesco, Bord Bia, IASTA, NPA, Our Food Roots, IFA and Musgrave.

The five schools that best demonstrate an understanding of the competition, along with innovative project ideas will be announced later this year at the National Ploughing Championships in September.

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On completion of the project, each of the finalists receives the financial benefit involved in the selling of the animals to the processors which amounts to an average €10,000 per group. The overall winning students also receive an additional grant of €2,000 for their further education.

For further information on the projects visit www.certifiedirishangus.ie/certified-irish-angus-schools-competition/