The Irish Shorthorn Society has elected a new leader. At a council meeting on January 13, it was decided that Kieran Flatley would be the new president of the society for 2021.

Coming from the Glann Shorthorn herd based in Co. Mayo, Kieran has become the youngest president in the society’s history as he takes over from Jim Foley.

AgriLand spoke with Kieran recently about his appointment and his plans in leading the society during his term in charge. He stated:

“It’s been great to receive the support to be elected as president. It’s going to be a tough time because we are in the process of looking for a new secretary.

“We have the job advertised and plenty of applications in so far, so that is going to be our biggest challenge.

We want to get the breed going again. At our last sale, I have to say the breed recorded a great trade and probably the best sale we ever had – so we want to keep that momentum going.

“My aim is to get more Shorthorn clubs up and active in the midlands area and down in the south because there are a lot of breeders that we are not in regular contact with that as we should be.

“It’s important to keep in touch with new breeders too and keep the interest going,” Kieran concluded.

Further re-shuffle

Electing a new president and hiring a new secretary / breed development officer are not the only changes on the cards for the Irish Shorthorn Society in 2021.

They have also elected a new vice-president in the form of Thomas Shryane from Ballaghaderreen in Co. Roscommon. Meanwhile, the treasurer position is being taken up by Tom Staunton from Kinvara. Co. Galway.

UK Beef Shorthorn also appoints new secretary

Across the shore in the Beef Shorthorn Society in the UK, there has also been a new secretary appointed.

Clive Brown has been appointed as operations manager / breed secretary of the Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society for the UK.

He will vacate the role as head of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s (AHDB’s) Beef and Lamb Knowledge Exchange team in April, after a career in the livestock sector including the last 17 years with EBLEX and AHDB.

Speaking on the new appointment, Beef Shorthorn Society president Cathryn Williamson stated:

“We are delighted to announce the appointment and look forward to working with Clive who combines practical experience with many years developing the beef industry through supply chain management whilst working in the commercial sector.

I am confident that Clive will build on the continual improvements we have made in developing the society as a modern functioning organisation – that supports the future of the breed and our membership.

Speaking about his new appointment, Clive Brown added: “I am looking forward to joining the society and helping to maximise the breed’s potential.

“Whilst Beef Shorthorn has a great historic past, it has a really exciting future as a perfect fit for new and emerging environmental schemes and beef managed in lower input systems.”