Latest news with #2025BalmoralShow
Agriland
21-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
ABP Angus Youth Challenge celebrates success at Balmoral
ABP used its platform at the 2025 Balmoral Show to actively engage with young people about careers and opportunities in agriculture, with a special focus on its graduate programme and its award-winning ABP Angus Youth Challenge. The Challenge offers 14–15-year-olds a hands-on 'farm-to-fork' experience, including rearing their own Angus-cross calves and working on sustainability-themed projects. Visitors to the ABP stand at Balmoral could view Angus-cross calves, symbolising the unique prize that is awarded to each finalist team. ABP Balmoral One of the 2025 finalist teams, St. Joseph's High School, Crossmaglen, were recognised at the ABP stand for their #BeefUpYourPlate social media campaign during NI Beef Week. Judged by ABP, Certified Irish Angus, the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) and the 'Downtown Country' presenter Victoria Quinn, this team's work won for its effective promotion of cooking with locally sourced Angus beef in a vibrant and shareable way. Adding to the celebrations, the ABP Angus Youth Challenge was presented with the Corporate Social Responsibility Programme of the Year award at the Business Eye Sustainability & ESG Awards held at the Culloden Hotel on Thursday, May 15. This accolade recognises the programme's significant impact on youth development and agri-sustainability education in Northern Ireland. William Delaney, Certified Irish Angus with Ciara Donnelly Sustainability and ESG Awards manager and Aine Murray ABP Managing director of ABP in Northern Ireland, George Mullan commented: 'The ABP Angus Youth Challenge is more than just a competition, it's about creating opportunities for young people to build skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the agri-food supply chain. 'Now in its seventh year, we are seeing many participants progressing on to third-level courses in agriculture and agri-food. 'We also welcomed one of the very first winners of the ABP Angus Youth Challenge on to the ABP graduate programme last September.' Entries to the ABP Angus Youth Challenge open again this September to 14-15-year-olds in Year 11.
Agriland
20-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
M&S ‘committed' to agriculture in Northern Ireland
One of the UK's biggest retailers has highlighted how food produced in Northern Ireland is currently being sold on the shelves of Marks and Spencer (M&S) stores across the UK. The retailer has also confirmed its commitment to the long-term sustainability of agriculture in the UK. One key issue that M&S management has identified as being a negative factor within the sustainability debate is the extension of inheritance tax to farmland that is a UK government policy. Head of agriculture and fisheries at M&S Food, Steve McLean, told Agriland, about the retailer's approach to its suppliers in Northern Ireland. McLean said: 'We are particularly committed to agriculture in Northern Ireland, 70%of our shell eggs come from the Skea organisation. 'The team at ABP and Linden Foods continue to excite and excel where beef and lamb are concerned. 'And this has a massively positive impact on the amount of product coming in form Northern Ireland, which is subsequently sold in M&S outlets throughout the UK.' 'We are involved in a lot of positive developments, where our milk pool is concerned.' Last week M&S also announced it was expanding its partnership with Co. Armagh-based Gilfresh Produce to supply Irish parsnips to M&S stores across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Shaun Doherty, senior agronomist at M&S, said the collaboration exemplifies its dedication to sustainability. 'By working closely with growers to implement renewable energy solutions and eco-friendly practices, we're not only enhancing produce quality but also contributing to a healthier environment for future generations,' he added. M&S Speaking to Agriland at the 2025 Balmoral Show last week the head of agriculture and fisheries at M&S Food said the drive continues to develop long-term working relationships between the retailer and its suppliers. 'This process is at the very heart of our sustainability agenda. 'Currently we are seeing livestock and milk prices at a very positive point for farmers. And we are also seeing this coming through in the quality of the product. 'Farmers have needed a price boost. Moreover, this is recognised throughout the whole of the supply chain,' McLean added. He also recognises the need for farmers to invest in the future of their businesses. McLean said: 'It's important that farming businesses have the confidence to encourage new entrants when it comes to the issue of succession. 'Government has used a very blunt tool, where the issue of inheritance tax is concerned. Yes, the decision taken by the government has focused farmers' minds on the subject of succession within their businesses. 'But the issue is that of the seven-year transition.' McLean also outlined the importance of sustainable farming to the retailer. 'From an M&S perspective. we want to see agriculture having a long-term future. And this means allowing farmers to make sustainable profits now. 'In turn, this will provide then with the ability to invest for the future. 'We have no food base without a very strong farmer and grower supply chain, operating throughout the UK. 'We rely on about 8,500 livestock farms and 700 fresh produce farms to supply the great quality food that our customers expect,' he added. McLean said M&S is 'very UK-centric in terms of its approach'. 'It's a policy that delivers best quality. It is also doing a great job where sustainability is concerned. 'Our customers also want us to support farming throughout the UK,' he said. Balmoral Show results overview: Day 4 Commercial cattle classes Champion: MCV Competitions Reserve: RMC Commercial Cattle Junior Champion: MCV Competitions Reserve: RMC Commercial Cattle Best Commercial Heifer Clas 1 st : MCV Competitions : MCV Competitions 2nd: RMC Commercial Cattle Best Commercial Beef Steer Class 1 st : S & J Smyth : S & J Smyth 2nd: Jacob McAuley Best Exhibitor-bred animal 1 st : MCV Competitions : MCV Competitions 2nd: Fergal Gormley Pairs' class 1 st : Jalex Livestock : Jalex Livestock 2nd: Mya Alexander Commercial Beef Heifer: under 30 months-of-age: Class 639 1 st : S & J Smyth : S & J Smyth 2nd: Mya Alexander Commercial Beef Heifer: under 30 months-of-age: Class 640 1 st : MCV Competitions : MCV Competitions 2nd: RMC Commercial Cattle Commercial Beef Heifer: under 30 months-of-age: Class 641 1 st : JCB Commercials : JCB Commercials 2nd: Jalex Livestock Commercial Beef Heifer: under 30 months-of-age 1 st : S & J Smyth : S & J Smyth 2nd: Jacob McAuley Beef Inter-Breed classes Champion of Champions: Stephen Maginn Reserve: Deerpark Limousin Junior Champion of Champions: MCV Competitions Reserve: Robert McWilliams Native Pairs' Champion: William Porter Reserve: Stephen Cherry and Dorepoll Herefords Continental Pairs' Champion: S & J Smyth Reserve: Kieran McCrory and P & S Murphy Inter-Breed Team of Five Champions, native breed: Leanne Green and Cherryvalley Farms Reserve: Lucy Rodgers and William Porter Inter-Breed Team of Five Champions, continental breed: D & S Murphy: DG Green & Sons; Deerpark Limousin; Trevor Shields; Kieran McCrory Reserve: WD & JA Connolly; Alan Wilson; Robert McWilliams; Brownhill herd; Eoin McGovern Inter-Breed Group Champions native breeds: Leanne Green and Cherryvalley Farms Reserve: William Porter Inter-Breed Group Champions,continental breeds: P & S Murphy; Trevor Shields; Kieran McCrory Reserve: WD & JA Connolly; Alan Wilson; Robert McWilliams Jake Piggot, from Killinchy Co. Down, was the Sheep Young Hander Champion at Balmoral Show 2025. He was congratulated by LMC board member, David Mark Sheep Inter–Breed classes Inter-Breed Champion: Graham Foster Reserve: Limestone Farms Inter-Breed Pairs' Champion: Elizabeth McAllister Reserve: Christian Hill and Alistair Moore Group Of Three Champion: Loughbrae Livestock; Glenbrook Farm; Reserve: John Ferguson Champion Young Handler: Jake Piggott Reserve: Mazie Bradley Goat classes Champion: Marcus Galbraith Reserve: Marcus Galbraith Best Goat in Milk Class 1 st : Marcus Galbraith : Marcus Galbraith 2nd: Marcus Galbraith Best Goatling Class 1 st : Marcus Galbraith : Marcus Galbraith 2nd: N & D Lennox Pig classes Inter-Breed Champion: Trevor Shields Reserve: Clare and Gary Wright Landrace Champion: Amanda Stewart Large White Champion: Trevor Shields Reserve: Trevor Shields
