Cork families claim Quality Milk Awards

TWO Cork families have been recognised at the 2023 National Dairy Council and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

The Coleman family from Bandon, who supply Barryroe Co-op, were crowned winners of the Adoption of Technologies Award, and the O’Leary family from Cloghroe, who supply the Dairygold Co-op, won the Highest EBI Award.

Their respective co-operatives nominated them, and then each finalist participated in an intensive judging process examining criteria such as environmental management, animal health and welfare, farm infrastructure and hygiene, soil and grassland management and technical performance.

The judging panel included Karina Pierce, Professor of Dairy Production in UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, Dr Patrick Wall, Professor of Public Health at UCD and Dr David Gleeson of Teagasc.

A total of 14 farming families from seven counties, representing 14 dairy co-operatives, were acknowledged for excellence in dairy farming and milk production.

The Macnamara family from Hospital, Co Limerick were crowned overall winners at the awards ceremony and accepted the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards perpetual cup.

The awards are run by Ornua and the National Dairy Council.

Commenting on the awards, Ornua Co-operative Chair Aidan O’Driscoll said: “I would like to thank each of the families for their continued commitment to strengthening the high standards of dairy excellence that these awards proudly celebrate.”

Zoë Kavanagh, the CEO of the National Dairy Council, added: “We need to continue to celebrate the sustainability of Ireland’s grass-based production system which sets us apart and creates a highly nutritious and affordable product, which will continue to nourish generations to come!”

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue said:“To be recognised by your own co-operative as a nominee is in itself a fantastic achievement, so all of the 14 finalists can be immensely proud of this recognition, and I wish them all continued success,” he said.