Moo-ving on up!

Four Fermoy students have been recognised for rearing five Angus calves at a recent schools competition.

Cathal McAuliffe, Darragh Morrison, Kian O’Donoghue, and Diarmuid O’Donovan from St Colman’s College Fermoy Students attended the Certified Irish Angus Schools competition awards ceremony at Croke Park after successfully completing a research project and rearing five Angus calves for an 18 month period.

The students investigated the Benefits of Farm Biodiversity. Even though the students are based in the agricultural heartland of North Cork they learned of some innovative farmers who are integrating regenerative practices into their farming operations.

Armed with this knowledge they decided to implement these practices on their host farm which included fencing off waterways, multi species swards and dedicating space for eco-systems to thrive.

Connecting with the local community was important to raise awareness and understanding of what they had learned. The group coordinated a visit with one of their bullocks to their local primary school and hosted a fundraising BBQ in their school which raised more than €1,700 for a chosen charity. The Certified Irish Angus Schools’ Competition in association with ABP and Kepak 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 brand while communicating the care and attention required to produce quality beef for consumers.