Estonian ‘AgroChallenge’ for Teagasc students

Students Avagh Carroll-Small and Charles Byrne, representing Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College, and Megan McCarthy and James Coleman, students in Mountbellew Agricultural College, are set to compete in the prestigious EUROPEA AgroChallenge 2024 event taking place from September 19th to 22nd 2024 in Estonia.

Supported by Teagasc and a contribution from FBD, Avagh, Megan, Charles and James will carry out tasks collectively in animal husbandry, crop agronomy, forestry and machinery operation. Their attention to detail and proficiency in task completion will be judged over the course of the competition, while pitting their skills against students from 19 other European countries in a total of 18 different tasks.

The Irish team consists of:

• Avagh Carroll-Small, Cavan – Ballyhaise Agricultural College – Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Dairy Herd Management)
• Megan McCarthy, Meath – Mountbellew Agricultural College – Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Drystock Management)
• Charles Byrne, Donegal – Ballyhaise Agricultural College – Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Drystock Management)
• James Coleman – Galway – Mountbellew Agricultural College – Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Mechanisation)

The students will be accompanied by team mentors Enda Kennedy, Mountbellew Agricultural College, and Fergus O’Rourke, Ballyhaise Agricultural College, who said: “We are delighted to help the students in their preparations for the event. We are in no doubt that their hard work and commitment in practising all the tasks over the summer will stand to them when they take on the challenges that lie ahead in Jἂrva and Olustvere, Estonia.”

Offering best wishes to the students in advance of the competition, Head of Education at Teagasc, Dr Anne-Marie Butler said: “Teagasc is delighted to represent Ireland at this coveted international competition, the EUROPEA AgroChallenge. It offers a wonderful opportunity for experiencing new cultures and other European agricultural systems. It allows our students to demonstrate their skills and offers international perspective to their learning journey.  Well done to the team and their colleges.”

Mr Michael Berkery, FBD Trust, added: “After the success of the inaugural Irish team competing in the AgroChallenge last year, FBD is delighted to again support sending a team from Ireland to compete on the European stage.

“International competitions such as this give our young farming students the opportunity to travel and meet their counterparts from other countries, while also showcasing their talent and passion for the industry. On behalf of the team at FBD, I wish the 2024 team the very best of luck in the AgroChallenge.”

Notes to editor

This is the second year a Teagasc team will compete in the EUROPEA AgroChallenge Competition. Last year’s team of Ellen Doherty and Conor Farrell, representing Kildalton Agricultural College, and Wayne Smith and Rosie O’Brien, from Gurteen College, took home four medals from the 2023 competition held in Slovakia. Get further details on the success of the 2023 Irish team at the EUROPEA AgroChallenge here