Niall Claffey

Niall Claffey Profile Picture

Niall is the beef specialist with AgriLand. The University College Dublin (UCD) graduate took up this post in September 2017. In this position, Niall covers technical and news content - at both a national and international level. Hailing from an agricultural background, he is involved in the running of a suckler farm in Westmeath. He also sits on the management team of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf-to-Beef Programme. Along with hands-on knowledge here in Ireland, Niall has significant experience in the international agricultural industry - in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and France. During his time in UCD, he travelled to New Zealand as part of his Professional Work Experience, gaining valuable knowledge on a dairy enterprise extending over 2,700ha. Upon finishing his degree in UCD, Niall travelled to Australia where he managed a large-scale beef enterprise. He also participated in sowing and harvesting for a season where he operated a wide range of machinery. When Niall returned home, he took up a position with Liffey Meats, working at their Ballyjamesduff site and also in France. Niall is also a council member of the Irish Grassland Association (IGA).

Virtual Farm Walk: Relive all of the action
Virtual Farm Walk: Relive all of the action

On Thursday (September 10), we brought our readers on a virtual tour of Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme participant...

Virtual Farm Walk: The final chapter
Virtual Farm Walk: The final chapter

Today we brought to you a range of videos showcasing Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme farmer, Martin Connolly....

Virtual Farm Walk: Calf health is your wealth
Virtual Farm Walk: Calf health is your wealth

The fifth and final video of our Virtual Farm Walk on Martin Connolly’s farm – before we dive further into...

Virtual Farm Walk: Improving pasture quality through reseeding
Virtual Farm Walk: Improving pasture quality through reseeding

Research has shown that the most profitable beef production systems make maximum use of grazed grass in the diet of...

Virtual Farm Walk: Chasing heavier carcasses in Co. Roscommon
Virtual Farm Walk: Chasing heavier carcasses in Co. Roscommon

Ensuring animal performance on farm is maximised with calf-to-beef systems is central to profitability. A failure to reach the desired...

Virtual Farm Walk: Small changes reap big silage quality rewards
Virtual Farm Walk: Small changes reap big silage quality rewards

Although there’s a major focus to increase the number of grazing days achieved annually on the farms enrolled in the...

Introducing Martin Connolly: Our host farmer for today’s Virtual Farm Walk
Introducing Martin Connolly: Our host farmer for today’s Virtual Farm Walk

Welcome to this virtual farm walk as part of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme on the farm...

Reminder: Virtual Farm Walk to take place on AgriLand tomorrow
Reminder: Virtual Farm Walk to take place on AgriLand tomorrow

Tomorrow (Thursday, September 10), we will take our readers on a virtual tour of Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef...

Live export recovery driven by Northern Irish demand
Live export recovery driven by Northern Irish demand

Live exports are currently running some 31,789 head behind the comparable period in 2019, Bord Bia figures show. While this...

Suckler calf registrations now behind 2019 levels
Suckler calf registrations now behind 2019 levels

Throughout 2020, AgriLand has been keeping a close eye on suckler calf registrations as the year progresses. At the end...

Spring-born bulls and heifers wanted for export
Spring-born bulls and heifers wanted for export

An Irish exporting company has secured a new contract for the North African market. Arklow-based company – Wicklow Calf Company...

GrowthWatch: Chemical fertiliser deadline approaching
GrowthWatch: Chemical fertiliser deadline approaching

By Teagasc’s Seán Cummins and James Fitzgerald The chemical fertiliser spreading closed period begins on September 15 for the entire...

Beef kill hits 35,000 head
Beef kill hits 35,000 head

Some 35,000 cattle were slaughtered last week in Irish beef exporting plants – an increase of 656 head when compared...

Setting up the farmyard for the coming months
Setting up the farmyard for the coming months

Heavy rainfall has led to housing to prevent damage on some farms, but hopefully this isn’t the end of the...

Housing required due to weather: Have you enough space?
Housing required due to weather: Have you enough space?

Although grass is aplenty on many farms, wet weather has given some farmers no other choice but to house their...

Weanling bulls sell to a top call of €3.46/kg – Brendan Egan, Castlerea Mart
Weanling bulls sell to a top call of €3.46/kg – Brendan Egan, Castlerea Mart

Castlerea Mart held its weekly cattle sale on Thursday last (August 27). Brendan Egan, the mart’s manager, said that a large...

Trade for all lots slightly easier at Kilkenny Mart – George Candler
Trade for all lots slightly easier at Kilkenny Mart – George Candler

Compared to the previous week’s sale, more cattle had been marketed at Kilkenny Mart on Thursday last (August 27), according...

Reduced heifer kill biggest contributor to lower weekly slaughter numbers
Reduced heifer kill biggest contributor to lower weekly slaughter numbers

The number of cattle slaughtered in Irish beef plants fell last week; the total figure amounted to 34,378 head including...