Birr students are runners-up in Certified Irish Angus schools' competition
Four students from St Brendan’s Community School, Birr, were runners-up at the final of the 2026 Certified Irish Angus Schools' Competition which was held in Croke Park today (Friday).
Jack O’Meara, Moya Guinan, Joseph McLoughney, and Ben Younge from the Offaly school attended the prestigious grand final in the Hogan Suite at the iconic venue after successfully completing their project and rearing five Angus calves for 18 months.
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 the students' Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science curriculum.
The competition aims to promote the Certified Irish Angus Beef brand while communicating the care and attention required to produce quality beef for consumers.
The students from St Brendan’s Community School investigated the research topic "How small adjustments lead to enhancements in sustainable beef farming".
The team explored how the platform AgNav can create an optimum plan that ensures more sustainable beef farming, which was supported by research findings on cattle health and the beef production process.
Speaking at the ceremony, the judges said, "Driven by generations of farming tradition, and a strong desire to see their school recognised on the national stage for its nurturing of agriculture and agri-business within the community, these four young people delivered an outstanding project highlighting a sustainable way forward for beef production in Ireland.
"They began their journey by exploring the foundations of good beef farming practice, including soil health, genetics, and nutrition," the judges stated.
"From there, they developed a clear, concise, and logical communication strategy, explaining to farmers the benefits of making small changes, and how those changes can have a substantial impact on both the sustainability of beef production and the financial outcomes for the farm and their family.
"They concluded with a practical package of improvements which when implemented at farm level, can deliver meaningful benefits for farmers, rural communities, and the wider society."
On completion of the project, each finalist 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.