Pupils – Thomas O’Kane, Peter Graham, Conall McCafferty.'Family farms drive sustainability' was the theme of the project carried out by the three-man team from St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena.
With the assistance of their teacher, Louise Gildea, the team’s aim was to explore how the family farm model is more economically sustainable compared with large-scale farming operations.
Their project looked at physical and mental health, as well as the long-term protection of the environment from less intensive farming methods and how the Angus breed fits into a part-time farming model for low-cost, grass-based beef finishing.
The health benefits from grass-finished beef were promoted within the school and local community, raising awareness of where food originates to those outside of the agri-sector.
The highlight of the project was a video produced by the team, using fellow school pupils and family members to recreate the famous 'God made a farmer' advert broadcast during the 2013 Superbowl.
The five Angus cattle have been reared on the O’Kane home farm and, when sold for slaughter in August, the three boys plan to reinvest the profits from the project into purchasing calves to rear again for slaughter.
Read more
Watch: Belfast Royal Academy in ABP Angus Youth Challenge
Watch: Enniskillen Royal Grammar in ABP Angus Youth Challenge
Pupils – Thomas O’Kane, Peter Graham, Conall McCafferty.'Family farms drive sustainability' was the theme of the project carried out by the three-man team from St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena.
With the assistance of their teacher, Louise Gildea, the team’s aim was to explore how the family farm model is more economically sustainable compared with large-scale farming operations.
Their project looked at physical and mental health, as well as the long-term protection of the environment from less intensive farming methods and how the Angus breed fits into a part-time farming model for low-cost, grass-based beef finishing.
The health benefits from grass-finished beef were promoted within the school and local community, raising awareness of where food originates to those outside of the agri-sector.
The highlight of the project was a video produced by the team, using fellow school pupils and family members to recreate the famous 'God made a farmer' advert broadcast during the 2013 Superbowl.
The five Angus cattle have been reared on the O’Kane home farm and, when sold for slaughter in August, the three boys plan to reinvest the profits from the project into purchasing calves to rear again for slaughter.
Read more
Watch: Belfast Royal Academy in ABP Angus Youth Challenge
Watch: Enniskillen Royal Grammar in ABP Angus Youth Challenge
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