Five school groups named finalists in Certified Irish Angus competition at National Ploughing

# What happened At the National Ploughing Championships on September 16, Certified Irish Angus announced five finalist school groups for its Schools Competition. Presenter James Kavanagh hosted the event and the students were presented with Certified Irish Angus calves that they will rear for 18 months.

# Who the finalists are

• Ardscoil Na Mara, Co. Waterford: Daniel O'Neill and Edward Moore — research theme: Reducing Carbon Emissions in Beef Production Through Genomics and Sustainable Farm Practices.
• St. Catherine's Vocational School, Co. Donegal: Kayla Boyle, Amy Rawdon, Holly Meehan and Catherine Byrne — research theme: Supporting Generational Renewal, Longevity and Sustainability in Farming Through Education.
• Coachford College, Co. Cork: Michael Twomey, Aaron Scannell, Timmy Buckley and Darragh Thompson — research theme: Management Practices for Sustainable, High-Quality Beef to Support Environment, Animal and Human Health.
• Virginia College, Co. Cavan: Fionn Brady, Casey Johnston, Katie Fitzsimons and Louis Faulkner — research theme: Improving Water Quality Through Sustainable Practice.
• Loreto School, Co. Kilkenny: Rachel Walsh and Keelin Walsh — research theme: Exploring Teenagers' Perspectives of Food Origin.

# What the competition requires

Charles Smith, general manager of Certified Irish Angus, commented that the programme gives young people practical farming experience combined with research into issues shaping Irish agriculture, and noted the introduction of one-to-one mentoring to strengthen links between students and agri-food professionals.

# Why the themes matter The chosen research themes reflect practical challenges farmers and the agri-food sector face: lowering carbon emissions, encouraging generational renewal, combining animal health and product quality, protecting water quality, and improving young consumers' awareness of food origin. Each project connects hands-on animal husbandry with a focused investigation intended to produce findings relevant to local farms and the wider sector.

# How to get involved Entries for the 2026/2027 Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition are open to Transition Year students across Ireland. The application deadline is October 31, 2026. More details are available on the Certified Irish Angus website.

# Immediate implications Students gain direct experience in livestock rearing, project design and sector engagement. The added mentorship component gives finalists access to technical advice and industry networks that can guide both practical on-farm decisions and the research elements of their projects.

# Practical takeaway Schools considering entry should prepare a clear research theme tied to local farm issues, identify staff or community supports for animal care, and plan how to use a mentor's expertise effectively. Note the October 31, 2026 deadline for Transition Year applicants.