Longford student receives ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award

Ardscoil Phádraig Granard, Leaving Certificate student Ryan Reilly, was awarded the ‘Outstanding Individual Achievement’ award on Friday, March 31, at the Croke Park final of the 2023 Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition for his commitment to his group research.

The Ardscoil Phádraig students, Tara Spollen, Katelynn Farrell, and Ryan Reilly reached the final of the prestigious calf-rearing competition and their research project investigated ‘Adapting Technologies in Breeding’.

The Certified Irish Angus Schools’ Competition in association with ABP and Kepak is an initiative that challenges students to rear five Irish Angus Cross calves for 18 months until their slaughter which aids their Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science curriculum.

It aims to promote the Certified Irish Angus Beef brand while communicating the care and attention required to produce quality beef for consumers.

Speaking about the award, the judges said: “Ryan’s understanding of the science and technology of modern-day farming is very impressive. This principled young man showed a great deal of consideration and generosity to his own teammates and the wider student group even when faced with challenges along the way.”

The group conducted extensive research on the various breeding technologies currently available to farmers in particular ICBF Indices such as Dairy Beef Index tools.

They assessed the level of activities of farmers in the North Longford area and found that there was high usage of AI with lower usage of stock bulls for breeding. The students held an information evening in their local mart where they shared their findings, including the benefits of breeding from superior genetic Angus bulls.