Among the thousands of people in attendance at the recent National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co. Offaly were students from Glenamaddy Community School and Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown as they took part in the National Certified Irish Angus Beef schools competition finals.
As part of the competition, both schools were presented with five Irish Angus cross calves which they will raise for the next 18 months until their slaughter in 2019.
Each school must also complete a project during this time with Glenamaddy CS focusing on mental health and wellbeing among farmers and Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown tasked with profiling the role of production planning in the industry.
Senator Maura Hopkins met with both groups of students at last Thursday’s event and was impressed with their hard work so far.
“It is great to see students supported by their teachers and families who are so interested in understanding what is required to produce and market the highest-quality beef for consumers,” she said.
The hard work now begins in earnest for these bright students as they take care of the animals for the next 18 months while completing their respective projects.
