Royal School Cavan has been crowned champion of the 2020 Certified Irish Angus Schools competition.
Winners Rachel Alexander, Barry Stratford, Sophie Reilly, Lloyd Hastings and Kelvin McNally are the first group from Cavan to participate in the calf-rearing competition, which is now in its sixth year.
They were presented with the prize by Irish Olympic hockey star Katie Mullan at an awards ceremony in Croke Park on Wednesday.
The students at Royal School Cavan displayed excellent teamwork and enthusiasm
The winning group raised awareness for mental health among their local farming community as part of their project for the competition. They wore wellies to school to draw attention to the cause and organised a 'Walk in my Wellies' day in aid of Pieta House.
The students also explored how the Angus breed could provide an opportunity for beef farmers in Cavan, where beef farming is predominantly part-time.
“The students at Royal School "Cavan displayed excellent teamwork and enthusiasm throughout the competition, and faced up to challenges with confidence and maturity beyond their years.
"The group was driven and knowledgeable and this, coupled with an excellent mental health promotion focused on the farming community, made them the worthy winners," said general manager of Irish Angus Producer Group Charles Smith.
Runners-up
The runners-up in the 2020 competition were Amy Everard, Francesca McKenna, Saidhbh Gaffney-Bent, Ciara Smith and Katie Tully from St Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School in Navan, Co Meath.
The students explored the theme of women in agriculture and alongside promoting their project, they sought to raise funds for their former teacher who is recovering from an acquired brain injury.
An additional award was presented, which recognised the personal contribution made to the competition by one individual, with one student shortlisted from each group.
The award went to Keelan Gallagher from Roscommon Community College, whom the judges said demonstrated “a can-do attitude, displaying courage and determination throughout the competition”.
Competition
The certified Irish Angus beef schools competition, created by Certified Irish Angus ABP and Kepak, challenges students to rear five Irish Angus calves for beef production.
The winning team of the 2020 Certified Irish Angus School’s Competition from Royal School Cavan. L-R: Barry Stratford, Rachel Alexander, Lloyd Hastings, Sophie Reilly, and Kelvin McNally.
The organisers are currently in the process of selecting five new schools from a shortlist of 35, who presented their project ideas at the Croke Park event on Wednesday.
The five schools who best demonstrate an understanding of the project, along with innovative ideas, will be announced in April and will receive their calves at the National Ploughing Championships in September 2020.
Read more
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A half century of the Irish Angus
Royal School Cavan has been crowned champion of the 2020 Certified Irish Angus Schools competition.
Winners Rachel Alexander, Barry Stratford, Sophie Reilly, Lloyd Hastings and Kelvin McNally are the first group from Cavan to participate in the calf-rearing competition, which is now in its sixth year.
They were presented with the prize by Irish Olympic hockey star Katie Mullan at an awards ceremony in Croke Park on Wednesday.
The students at Royal School Cavan displayed excellent teamwork and enthusiasm
The winning group raised awareness for mental health among their local farming community as part of their project for the competition. They wore wellies to school to draw attention to the cause and organised a 'Walk in my Wellies' day in aid of Pieta House.
The students also explored how the Angus breed could provide an opportunity for beef farmers in Cavan, where beef farming is predominantly part-time.
“The students at Royal School "Cavan displayed excellent teamwork and enthusiasm throughout the competition, and faced up to challenges with confidence and maturity beyond their years.
"The group was driven and knowledgeable and this, coupled with an excellent mental health promotion focused on the farming community, made them the worthy winners," said general manager of Irish Angus Producer Group Charles Smith.
Runners-up
The runners-up in the 2020 competition were Amy Everard, Francesca McKenna, Saidhbh Gaffney-Bent, Ciara Smith and Katie Tully from St Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School in Navan, Co Meath.
The students explored the theme of women in agriculture and alongside promoting their project, they sought to raise funds for their former teacher who is recovering from an acquired brain injury.
An additional award was presented, which recognised the personal contribution made to the competition by one individual, with one student shortlisted from each group.
The award went to Keelan Gallagher from Roscommon Community College, whom the judges said demonstrated “a can-do attitude, displaying courage and determination throughout the competition”.
Competition
The certified Irish Angus beef schools competition, created by Certified Irish Angus ABP and Kepak, challenges students to rear five Irish Angus calves for beef production.
The winning team of the 2020 Certified Irish Angus School’s Competition from Royal School Cavan. L-R: Barry Stratford, Rachel Alexander, Lloyd Hastings, Sophie Reilly, and Kelvin McNally.
The organisers are currently in the process of selecting five new schools from a shortlist of 35, who presented their project ideas at the Croke Park event on Wednesday.
The five schools who best demonstrate an understanding of the project, along with innovative ideas, will be announced in April and will receive their calves at the National Ploughing Championships in September 2020.
Read more
App happy Angus schoolgirls show tech flair
A half century of the Irish Angus
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