Tipperary farming family awarded Milk Quality Awards top prize
Along And Aidan With Kennedy Nickolas Children, And Galina Derval Their
A Co Tipperary dairy farming family has been named as the overall winners of the 2024 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
Aidan and Derval Kennedy, along with their children, Nickolas and Galina, and the farm team, were nominated by their processor Dairygold Co-op.
The Kennedys excelled through a comprehensive judging process that evaluated a range of the most important aspects of modern dairy farming. These topics included environmental sustainability, animal health and welfare, farm infrastructure, hygiene standards, soil and grassland management, and technical performance, amongst other important factors, including advocacy and community engagement.
The prestigious annual awards programme, which is now in its 15th year, saw 11 farming families from six counties and 11 dairy co-operatives celebrated for excellence in milk production and sustainable dairying at a special ceremony hosted at Lyrath Estate Hotel, Co Kilkenny.
Ornua chief executive Conor Galvin Ornua said: “On behalf of Ornua, I would like to congratulate the Kennedy farm for being honoured as the overall winners of the 2024 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. The standards they have set across a broad range of criteria reflects the dedication to craft and meticulous attention to detail needed to produce the world-class milk behind our world-famous dairy products.
"Each of the finalists has a unique approach and story to tell but are each connected through the many meanings of the word quality. I would like to thank them, their teams, co-operatives and milk advisors, for raising standards year after year, ensuring Ireland’s global reputation as a leading producer of sustainable, quality dairy products is secured.”
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said Irish dairy farmers should be commended for their commitment to producing the highest quality milk through sustainable dairy farming methods.
"The reputation of our Irish dairy industry, both at home and abroad, relies on the excellent quality standards epitomised by the farm families here today. This high standing is only made possible through suppliers who are willing to be leaders in the drive to produce the best quality milk in a sustainable way.
"All of today’s nominated families should, therefore, be immensely proud of the exemplary standards that have earned them the recognition of their own co-ops and the dairy industry at large.
"I would like to commend all of the finalists, category winners and overall winner, and wish them every continued success in proudly flying the flag for Irish dairying," he said.
Mark Keller, interim chief executive of the National Dairy Council, said: “Ireland’s international reputation as a dairy-producing nation has been built on this commitment as global customers look to our dairy farmers for leadership in sustainable grass-based quality milk production. There are many challenges ahead, but with our finalists, our category winners, and overall 2024 winner, Ireland can take pride in its dairy farming families, its processors and the advisors who support our dairy farmers 24/7 for 365 days each year.”
Speaking on behalf of the judging team, Karina Pierce, Professor of Dairy Production at UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science, said: "We spent a lot of time making the difficult decision to choose an overall winner this year as all finalists are excellent.
"Before the judges reach the farmgate, we know that the milk quality is of a superior standard across the board, but witnessing efforts around areas such as sustainability, animal welfare, water quality and biodiversity show what can be achieved on farm, in terms of efficiency, climate action and technological innovation.
"The measures this year’s finalists are employing fill me with positivity for the future of Irish dairy. Well done to them all and the Kennedys for their distinction and deserved recognition as the overall winner.”
In addition to the overall prize, five category award winners were recognised for excellence in the individual areas of milk hygiene and facilities, environmental stewardship, grassland management, advocacy and engagement, and low somatic cell count (SCC). Categories were awarded as follows:
- Advocacy and engagement award: Corrigan Farm, Trim, Co Meath – Lakeland Dairies;
- Overall winner and winner of Milking Hygiene and Facilities award: Kennedy Farm, Cahir, Co Tipperary - Dairygold Co-op;
- Grassland Management award: Killeen Farm, Eyrecourt, Ballinasloe, Co Galway - Aurivo Co-op;
- Lowest SCC award: Larkin Farm, Eyrecourt, Ballinasloe, Co Galway - Arrabawn;
- Environmental Stewardship: McCarthy Farm, Milltown, Co Kerry - Kerry Agribusiness.
