Ballymena Academy pupils take 2026 ABP Angus Youth Challenge crown

Two pupils from Ballymena Academy have been crowned overall winners of the 2026 ABP Angus Youth Challenge.

The Year 12 students, Samantha Dunlop and Katie McNeilly won the competition with their project on 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.

The two students took their project one step further by expanding the project to the wider community.

They 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 said were impressed by the students’ “curiosity, energy and joyful approach” throughout the Challenge.

The winning team from the Co. Antrim school received the ABP Angus Youth Challenge Cup and a £1,000 cash prize for their school at an awards ceremony and exhibition held at Balmoral Park yesterday (22 October).

Runners-up

The team from Blessed Trinity College in north Belfast finished the challenge as runners-up with their project ‘Where Our Food Comes From’.

Brooke Devlin, Hayleigh Hayles, Callum O’Neill, and Deaghlán McFarlane explored how better understanding of food production could help connect their urban community with agriculture.

The students, who had no direct links to farming, carried out their project with support from their teacher as host farmer.

They also developed a Farm to Fork Roadshow for local primary schools, using interactive activities to explain food production, animal welfare and agricultural careers.

ABP AYC Runners Up

The students were recognised for their efforts to “bridge the gap in understanding between farming and urban communities”.

The judges commended the students for “embarking on a steep learning curve about farming”.

“They were able to capture the attention and curiosity of their school and North Belfast community,” they said.

Outstanding Achievement by an Individual

Grainne Anderson from St. Patrick’s High School, Keady, Co. Armagh was awarded the Outstanding Achievement by an Individual award.

The pupil was recognised for her contribution to her team’s project exploring how technology can support a more gender-equal future in agriculture.

Anderson and her teammates investigated how technology can reduce physical demands, improve efficiency and create opportunities for women across the agricultural sector.

ABP Angus Youth Challenge

Also in the final were Gary Gillespie, Dara Cush, and Darragh McCann, from St Patrick’s College, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.

They examined the value of grazing systems in sustainable Angus beef production.

Their project compared grass-based and forage-based approaches and considering their implications for animal performance, production costs and the environment.

The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is delivered by ABP in partnership with the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group.

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