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Dairy farmers from west Cork to Donegal feature have been shortlisted for the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards for 2019. Thirteen farming families representing 11 co-ops have been shortlisted for the awards, which recognise the highest standards of excellence in dairy farming.
This year, the awards have expanded to include criteria demonstrating sustainable dairy farming – with a particular focus on how Irish dairy farmers care for the environment and their animals.
Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of the National Dairy Council, said: “The landscape that we’re living in is changing. Now more than ever consumers are demanding natural, sustainably produced food – transparency, authenticity, taking responsibility for your health and keeping it real are now more important than ever.
"Irish dairy has one of the lowest carbon footprints internationally, primarily due to the unique grass-fed, family based Irish farming system which is extremely efficient and involves less intensive farming. It is in all our interests to continue to nurture that approach and support new innovations in soil fertility, water quality and nutrient management”
Finalists were visited by three judges - Dr Jack Kennedy, Irish Farmers Journal, Prof Pat Wall from UCD and Dr David Gleeson from Teagasc - over the last three months and the winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in Dublin on Wednesday 2 October.
NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards brand ambassador is chef and food writer Clodagh McKenna, who is a passionate advocate of Irish dairy produce at home and abroad.
Congratulating this year’s finalists, John Jordan, CEO of Ornua, stated that Irish farmers should be very proud of their commitment to producing the best quality milk in the world, enhancing Ireland’s reputation as a natural food producer globally.
“Our grass-based family farming system is a vital ingredient to the phenomenal success of the Kerrygold brand worldwide. It is fantastic to see and celebrate such high standards of practice and we look forward to awarding the overall winner in October,” he said.
We will feature all finalists in detail in the coming weeks.
The finalists for 2019 are:
Adam and Valerie Shorten, Eniskeane, Co Cork, nominated by Bandon Co Op.
Dermot Walsh and Family, Bandon, Co Cork, nominated by Barryroe Co-op.
Michael and Thomas Nyhan, Ballineen, Co Cork, nominated by Lisavaird Co-op.
Joe and TJ Stack, Tralee, Co Kerry, nominated by Kerry Agribusiness.
Brendan O' Driscoll and family, Leap, Co Cork, nominated by Drinagh.
Kieran and Ann Hearne, Rathgormack, Co Waterford, nominated by Glanbia Ireland.
Pat and Miriam Kiely and Ciaran Hanrahan (PMC Dairy Farm), nominated by Glanbia.
Edward Donovan, Ballybranagh, Cloyne Co. Cork, nominated by Dairygold.
Michael Gunn and family, Strokestown, Co Roscommon, nominated by Aurivo.
David McCoy and family, Smithboro, Co Monaghan, nominated by Lakeland Dairies.
Charles McCandless, Culdaff, Co Donegal, nominated by Aurivo Co-op.
Albie and Denise Ryan, Cappawhite, Co Tipperary, nominated by Arrabawn Co-Op.
Liam Hanrahan, Listowel, Co Kerry, nominated by North Cork Co-op.
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