National Angus win for Bandon students
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Mark Shorten and Conor Lehane from St Brogan’s College, Bandon, Co Cork were announced as overall winners yesterday in the 2018 Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools Competition.
Organised by Irish Angus Producer Group, ABP and Kepak, the competition challenges students to rear five Irish Angus Cross calves for 18 months to slaughter, as part of their Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science project.
Mark and Conor investigated the place of Irish Angus cross Friesian calves in the context of mixed dairy and beef farming.
They used their involvement to give back to their community by hosting an event to raise funds for local charity, Cancer Connect, and donating a significant portion of the proceeds from the sale of their calves to the West Cork Rapid Response Unit and to their school for use in supporting students with mental health issues.
Charles Smith, general manager, Irish Angus Producer Group said, “From the outset, it was clear that Mark and Conor were two robust young farmers with a keen interest in dairy and beef farming.”
The runners up in the competition were a group from Athlone Community College.
Other finalists included CBS, Tralee; Rice College, Wesport; and Coláiste Treasa, Kanturk.
