Hugh McCluggage was brought up on a dairy farm at Gleno Co Antrim, an active member of the local Young Farmers Club winning stock judging and public speaking awards at Northern Ireland level. Hugh graduated from Queens University Belfast with B.Agr Hons in 1974.

Hugh was in the fortunate position to have several job offers, but opted to join Richardson’s Fertilizer that year – a few hundred £s more and a car making the decision straightforward. He spent the next 31 years with the company until they closed in 2002. He then worked for John Thompson & Sons, finishing his career with Kilco Chemicals where he helped to develop their business across the Island of Ireland.

But Richardson’s was at his core. He worked initially in South Down predominately with arable farmers before moving to North Antrim working closely with livestock farmers where he became a bit of an institution. Many farmers have recounted how Hugh helped them establish the 21 day paddock grazing system and while the herds are much lager involving more acres still follow the principles established by him. Two-Sward, Nitro PaK and Chalk were key products in the Richardson’s portfolio but Hugh always sought to ensure they were used efficiently and effectively for the benefit of the land and livestock.

The farmers Hugh dealt with were not simply customers but real people. He got to know their whole family helping the younger generation with school projects and encouraging them at exam time. Hugh supported the farm family through not only the good times but also the challenges of milk quotas, BSE, Foot and Mouth and extreme weather conditions. The weather always made up part of Hugh’s conversation, too wet or dry, how early to sow, when to cut to make quality silage and his family remember the number of pre-cut grass samples he collected and delivered when the silage season was in full swing.

Hugh McCluggage, who dedicated much of his career to supporting farmers across Northern Ireland, is remembered for his generosity, knowledge and lasting contribution to the farming community.

placeholder image — Hugh McCluggage, who dedicated much of his career to supporting farmers across Northern Ireland, is remembered for his generosity, knowledge and lasting contribution to the farming community.

When a farmer phoned Hugh with an issue his first reaction was how can I help. He was unselfish with his time, nothing was ever too much bother, going the extra mile (or two) to assist in whatever way he could. The Team at Richardson’s weren’t just work colleagues but they became life-long friends who regularly meet and enjoy each others company.

At his funeral it was evident of his involvement Hugh’s involvement with his church, local community, charity work and sport working tirelessly behind the scenes ensuring everything ran smoothly, doing it graciously and quietly with a smile on his face. The comment was made no one would ever know the number of people who he had impacted.

Faith, Family, Friends, Farming and Sport were the cornerstone of Hugh’s life and he will be remembered as someone who always was willing to help in whatever way he could.