Lecale Trinity Grammar award

Lecale Trinity Grammar award

5 November 2025

FOUR pupils from Lecale Trinity Grammar School have been commended as finalists in the 2025 ABP Angus Youth Challenge.

Year 12 students Ben O’Connor, Brent Magouran, Christopher Cunningham and Lochlann Hegarty have been competing in the final stage of the competition for the past year and were recognised for their project, ’Raising Awareness of Animal Welfare Standards’.

The pupils’ work included hosting an animal welfare conference at their school and developing education resources for schools – taking inspiration from an online meeting secured with Temple Grandin, an international expert in animal behaviour.

The team was presented with a plaque at an awards ceremony held in the Logan Hall, Balmoral Park recently.

Speaking at the event, ABP’s George Mullan congratulated all the finalists. 

“These young people have shown curiosity, teamwork and pride in local agriculture. They’re exactly what the agri-food sector needs for the future,” he said.

Dr Sinclair Mayne, a leading scientist and agricultural adviser, also addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of food production to Northern Ireland’s economy.

 The event concluded with the ABP Angus Youth Exhibition, where new entrants for the 2026 Challenge showcased their early-stage projects in the hopes of securing a place in next year’s finals.

The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is delivered in partnership with the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group to give teenagers the opportunity to rear Angus cattle and complete a research project addressing current agricultural issues.

The programme helps participants develop practical farming, business, communication and leadership skills, supporting the next generation of agri-food professionals.