Four Year 11 pupils from the Royal School Armagh are researching ways to enhance the efficiency of beef farming as part of a national schools’ competition.
As part of their prize for reaching the final they spent a day at Cool FM/Downtown Radio in Newtownards recently to help them promote their topic.
They are finalists in the ABP Angus Youth Challenge, an agri-skills development programme delivered by the beef & lamb processor ABP in conjunction with Certified Irish Angus.
Part of the competition entails rearing their own mini herds of Angus cross calves which they will sell them to ABP at the end of the process.
Whilst doing so they will be exploring ways of increasing efficiencies in beef farming whilst minimising waste and inputs. They are competing against three other finalists’ teams from Aughnacloy College, St. Colmcille’s Crossgar and the Royal School Armagh for the chance to win £1,000 for their school.
During their training day, the pupils heard from presenters Caroline Fleck of Downtown; Victoria Quinn, Breakfast Show Presenter on Downtown Country; Cool FM presenter and Instagram Influencer Melissa Riddell and Stuart Robinson Audio Content Director for Bauer Media NI on how to utilise social media professionally.
They were given a tour of the studios and took part in interactive sessions to create audio and social media content about their project.
Commenting on the workshop, Liam McCarthy of ABP said: “Communicating online has the power to connect businesses and individuals alike. Using digital communications well can bring beef farming to a wider audience to build understanding. This workshop aims to help our ABP Angus Youth participants share their research about topical issues concerning our sector.”
Charles Smith, General Manager of Certified Irish Angus added: “We were delighted to work with Northern Ireland’s largest commercial broadcaster Bauer Media NI to deliver this training day for our finalists.
“Having the skills and knowledge to communicate the purpose and value of their projects, the benefits to them and their target audience is an important element of this competition. By excelling in all aspects of their finalist programme they stand to win £1,000 for their school or club and the ABP Angus Youth Challenge Cup.”
The overall winning team will be announced this Autumn and the ABP Angus Youth Challenge will open for new entries from Year 11 this September.
To register or plan an entry interested teachers, guardians and club leaders can visit https://abpangusyouthchallenge.com/teachers
