Tom and Moya’s farm with Tom’s parents Jim and Breda and also first cousin Shane near Dungarvan, Co Waterford. Most of the grazing platform is between 700 and 800ft above sea level, bringing with it weather challenges many dairy farmers do not have.

Speaking at the presentation of awards today in Kilmainham, Dublin, Tom said: “I am delighted to accept the overall award cup on behalf of the Power family. This is a great reward for all the hard work and effort that is required to produce high-quality milk.”

The Powers supply Glanbia and in 2015 they milked 200 cows delivering almost 1.2m litres of milk.

Zoë Kavanagh, chief executive of the National Dairy Council (NDC) and Kevin Lane, chief executive of Ornua, presented the awards to the 10 shortlisted finalists at a special award ceremony in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham on Tuesday.

The independent expert judging panel included Dr David Gleeson (Teagasc), Dr Jack Kennedy (Irish Farmers Journal) and Professor Patrick Wall (UCD).

The Power farm in brief:

  • 2015 – milked 200 cows and delivered 1.18m litres of milk to Glanbia.
  • Total area farmed is 125ha.
  • Total of 65ha available for grazing around the milking parlour.
  • 2016 – milking 220 cows.
  • On-farm development – new cubicle shed under development.
  • Milk fat averaged 4.43% and protein averaged 3.67% in 2015.
  • Parlour: 20 unit herringbone.
  • SCC results: average 102,000 cells/ml for 2015 and TBC results: average 5,000 for 2015.
  • Read more

    Watch all 10 finalists here