Students from three Laois secondary schools exhibited at Croke Park for the Prestigious Certified Irish Angus school’s competition recently.
Portlaoise College, Mountrath Community School and Clonaslee Community College were represented.
This competition challenges students to rear five Irish Angus calves over 18 months while completing a research project.
The project themes cover the important topics of improving animal genetics; sustainable agriculture; farm health and safety; and increasing consumer awareness of the quality of Irish food and in particular Irish beef.
The initiative aims to promote the Certified Irish Angus brand while educating students about the care and attention required to produce quality beef for consumers.
Each group also benefits from the proceeds raised through the sale of the animals at the end of the competition.
The overall winners also receive a bursary towards further education.
Five out of the thirty-five exhibiting schools who best demonstrate an understanding of the project along with innovative ideas will be presented with Irish Angus calves at the National Ploughing Championships in September 2022.
Grace McEvoy, Emer Dunne and Eimear Kelly are taking part from Clonaslee College.
Portlaoise College are represented by Fionn McEvoy, Anthony Skelly, Sam Rooney, Aidan Donaghy and Jack Luttrell.
While Naomi Senior, Erika Holland and Siobhan McEvoy are competing for Mountrath Community School.
All groups have progressed onto the next stage of the competition.
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