UFU Deputy President John McLenaghan, on his farm near Garvagh. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is delighted to launch its post-primary schools’ agriculture competition, designed to inspire pupils to explore how family farms in Northern Ireland can become more viable, sustainable, and resilient in the face of modern challenges. Aimed at encouraging forward-thinking and innovation, the competition challenges pupils to consider how farming businesses can evolve to ensure a prosperous future for the next generation.
UFU deputy president John McLenaghan said, “Encouraging the next generation into the agri-industry remains one of our top priorities. Education plays a critical role in preparing young people for the wide-ranging challenges facing agriculture today. These include tackling the pressures of inheritance tax, the Nutrient Action Programme proposals, Bovine TB and addressing the long-term implications of climate change – all while maintaining profitability and food security.
“We want young people to understand that agriculture is not just about producing food – it’s about innovation, sustainability, and business acumen. This competition will provide students with a practical opportunity to explore key areas such as diversification, alternative revenue streams, and emerging technologies. In doing so, they’ll also develop vital skills such as communication, teamwork and problem solving – all of which are essential for interviews, college, university and future careers in the agri-sector.”
The competition is open to pupils in Years 10 to 14 who are either studying agriculture or are active members of a school-based agricultural club. Working in teams, students will be tasked with devising a business proposal to enhance a real-life farming enterprise case study.
The competition will unfold in two stages:
- Stage 1: A short video summarising their proposal
- Stage 2: An in-depth presentation, followed by a panel Q&A session
“Our family farm model is a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s economy, contributing £5.2 billion annually. By involving young people in this competition, we hope they gain a deeper understanding of how to run an efficient, farm enterprise, while also navigating key issues like environmental regulations, disease control, and supply chain pressures.
“The landscape we see around us, shaped by generations of farmers, supports not only food production but also tourism, biodiversity and recreation. We want pupils to think creatively about how we produce food locally, how we can utilise renewable energy, and how we safeguard the long-term future of farm families. Agriculture in Northern Ireland offers an incredibly diverse range of career pathways – from farmers and agri-technicians to animal nutritionists and vets. This competition is about sparking interest, innovation and pride in our local agri-sector,” added Mr McLenaghan.
The UFU require all schools to register their interest by Wednesday 15 October 2025 with the closing date for entries on Wednesday 22 October 2025. For more information contact UFU communications officer Lynsay Beattie at lhawkes@ufuhq.com and Niamh McGovern on nmcgovern@ufuhq.com or (028) 9037 0222.
