Acclaim for Newport College students

Three students from Newport College were recognised at the annual Certified Irish Angus Schools competition awards ceremony, which was held at Croke Park. Students Cillian Marren, Sam Caplis and Kyle Gow attended the prestigious grand final in the Hogan Suite after successfully completing a research project and rearing five Angus calves for an 18-month period.

The Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition in association with Kepak and ABP is an initiative that challenges students to rear five Irish Angus Cross calves for 18 months until their slaughter which aids their Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science curriculum. It aims to promote the Certified Irish Angus brand while communicating the care and attention required to produce quality beef for consumers.

Newport College

The students from Newport College investigated the research topic Sustainable Farm Technology. The team focused their research on technologies that farmers can implement on their farms and aimed to help them see the importance of farm planning and operating an environmentally friendly beef farm.

Team member, Cillian Marren, was also presented with the ‘Outstanding Development’ award at the ceremony.

Speaking about the award, judges said: “Cillian possesses all the qualities that make a true gentleman. Throughout the competition, he displayed exceptional maturity, dignity, and consideration. This fine young man is truly wise beyond his years, and his values are deeply admirable. His ability to communicate his passion for family, friends, and farming, coupled with his loyalty and commitment to a cause, no matter how great the challenge, sets him apart. These qualities make him truly special, and a very worthy winner of this award.”

Now in its 12th year, the competition, which is run in association with processor partners ABP and Kepak, has attracted over 1,000 students from 361 groups across 25 counties, blending practical learning and research skills to support students' career development. 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.

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.