Steak-holders!
Students from two schools in Cork are taking part in an initiative which involves rearing calves over an 18 month period.
Gráinne Dinneen and Clodagh Hayes from Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy, and Emma Dilworth, Meabh O’Donovan, and Mary Clare O’Donnell from St Angela’s College, Cork city were among the students who met the Irish Angus-Cross calves they will rear for the first time.
They are two of the five finalist groups that will take part in the next iteration of the popular Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition.
They met their calves at the recent National Ploughing Championships in Offaly, at an event hosted by agri-food journalist and broadcaster Suzanne Campbell.
Students Gráinne Dinneen and Clodagh Hayes from Loreto Secondary School will investigate the topic of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic packaging for beef products.
Their research will explore the priorities of young consumers when shopping, innovations in sustainable packaging, and the environmental impact of biodegradable versus non-biodegradable materials on soil health.
The students will also highlight the importance of the circular economy in Irish agriculture. To promote their research theme, the students aim to meet with industry experts, maintain a school noticeboard, attend local agri events, invite guest speakers, and visit primary schools to encourage early engagement with agriculture.
In addition to rearing the calves, the students will complete research projects focusing on different aspects of farming, the food chain, and sustainability.
Students Emma Dilworth, Meabh O’Donovan, and Mary Clare O’Connell from St Angela’s College will research how organic farm practices can contribute to producing more sustainable beef, like Certified Irish Angus.
The students will focus on integrating organic methods into conventional systems, reducing farm emissions, boosting biodiversity through multi-species swards, and promoting the nutritional value of Angus beef.
They also aim to highlight the role of women in agriculture. To raise awareness, they plan to host an open day, create blogs and podcast episodes, run school competitions and fundraisers, maintain a project noticeboard, and invite guest speakers to inspire greater youth especially girls’ involvement in farming.
The Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition, supported by processors ABP and Kepak, was first introduced to secondary school students in Ireland in 2014. The project is designed to teach students about the care and attention required to produce top quality beef, and it has engaged with more than 4,000 students in the past 11 years.
Each finalist will receive the financial benefit of selling the animals to the processors upon the project's completion. The winning students also receive an additional grant of €2,000 for their further education.