Two Waterford secondary school students have been selected as finalists in the Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition.

Daniel O’Neill and Edward Moore from Ardscoil Na Mara in Tramore were among the students presented with Irish Angus-cross calves at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore this week.

The pair will rear the animals over an 18-month period as part of the competition, while also carrying out a research project focused on sustainability in beef production.

Certified Irish Angus 2
(L-R) Students Daniel O’Neill and Edward Moore from Ardscoil Na Mara, Tramore were one of five schools announced to take part in the next instalment of the Certified Irish Angus Schools’ Competition.

Their project will examine how genomics and genetics can help reduce carbon emissions through improved breeding decisions, animal efficiency and herd performance.

They will also look at areas including nutrition, grassland management and reducing finishing age.

As part of the programme, the Tramore students will receive one-to-one mentorship from Niall Kilraine of the Gene Ireland Breeding Programme at the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation.

The Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition was launched in 2014 and has involved more than 4,000 students.

Finalists receive the proceeds from the sale of the animals at the end of the project, while the overall winners receive an additional €2,000 grant towards further education.

Applications are also now open for the next cycle of the competition, with Transition Year students able to apply until October 31st.