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).

GrowthWatch: Meal feeding to be fast tracked to spring-born calves
GrowthWatch: Meal feeding to be fast tracked to spring-born calves

By Teagasc’s Seán Cummins and James Fitzgerald Much of Ireland has been gripped in storm-like conditions over the past number...

Little change in beef prices this week
Little change in beef prices this week

For the most part, the majority of beef factories are now quoting 365c/kg for both steers and heifers; however, there...

‘I can look at any breed and I appreciate every breed; the best of any breed I will admire’
‘I can look at any breed and I appreciate every breed; the best of any breed I will admire’

Richard O’Beirne, the well-known pedigree breeder, will disperse the females of his renowned Limousin herd – Millburn Limousin – on...

Waterford-based firm buying Friesian bulls for export
Waterford-based firm buying Friesian bulls for export

An Irish exporting company is currently preparing an order for the Libyan market. Purcell Brothers, the Waterford-based firm, is now...

National beef kill rises
National beef kill rises

Last week, some 34,731 cattle were slaughtered in Irish beef processing plants – representing a rise of 2,893 head on...

GrowthWatch: Managing tricky grazing conditions
GrowthWatch: Managing tricky grazing conditions

By Teagasc’s Seán Cummins and James Fitzgerald The target for mid-August is to have approximately 25 days of grass ahead...

Beef trade: Factory quotes vary
Beef trade: Factory quotes vary

Over recent days, beef factory procurement managers have implemented some downward price pressure on base quotes – but have been...

How do Irish heifer prices compare with EU returns?
How do Irish heifer prices compare with EU returns?

The latest report from the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) indicates that Irish heifer prices increased by 12.9c/kg from the...

Harvesting the last of the winter fodder in Co. Mayo
Harvesting the last of the winter fodder in Co. Mayo

The winter feeding period is drawing closer on livestock farms up and down the country. Hopefully, weather conditions will allow...

High kill despite August bank holiday
High kill despite August bank holiday

Some 31,785 cattle were slaughtered last week in Irish beef exporting plants – an increase of 3,460 head when compared...

‘We had a record number of cattle sold in July’ – John Tevlin
‘We had a record number of cattle sold in July’ – John Tevlin

Like a lot of marts nationwide, Ballyjamesduff Mart has experienced higher volumes and enjoyed a period of impressive prices of...

Temporary ban on live exports due to high European temperatures
Temporary ban on live exports due to high European temperatures

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has issued a temporary ban on live exports to or through European...

GrowthWatch: Building autumn covers firmly in sight
GrowthWatch: Building autumn covers firmly in sight

By Teagasc’s Seán Cummins and James Fitzgerald Extending the number of grazing days beef cattle spend at grass each year...

Firm trade despite challenging ground conditions – Brendan Egan, Castlerea Mart
Firm trade despite challenging ground conditions – Brendan Egan, Castlerea Mart

Castlerea Mart held its weekly cattle sale on Thursday last, August 6. Brendan Egan, the mart’s manager, said that a large...

Beef trade: Continue to bargain hard
Beef trade: Continue to bargain hard

For the most part, the majority of beef factories are quoting 370-375c/kg for steers and heifers, with factory agents continuing...

Will you be castrating male calves this year?
Will you be castrating male calves this year?

In January 2019, farmers faced issues with getting bulls slaughtered and were also exposed to severe price cuts – even...

‘We never had as much cattle at the start of August before’ – Gerry Connellan
‘We never had as much cattle at the start of August before’ – Gerry Connellan

The mart trade has been faring very well in recent weeks, with cattle prices running well ahead of returns achieved...

How does the Irish beef price compare with UK and EU returns?
How does the Irish beef price compare with UK and EU returns?

Looking at the Bord Bia Beef Market Tracking tool – which was implemented as a result of the Beef Sector...