Over 500 farmers from all over Ireland gathered in Dublin on Tuesday night in recognition of their excellent somatic cell count (SCC) results. The event, organised by Animal Health Ireland (AHI), rewarded the top 500 milk suppliers ranked on SCC results for 2014.

For all those present, the average annual SCC for milk delivered was under 100,000 cells/ml, with a range from 97,000 cells/ml down as low as 37,000 cells/ml. By industry standards these are exceptional results, given the European threshold for SCC is 400,000 cells/ml.

The 500 farmers rewarded are selected based on a desktop exercise by the Department of Agriculture. Speaking at the event, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said: “The Irish agriculture industry has become a benchmark for quality on international markets and with that comes the pressure to maintain top quality at all aspects of the business – not just somatic cell count.” Each of the Top 500 farmers received a plaque in recognition of the excellent SCC results achieved.

10% SCC cut would save €38m

Chief executive of Animal Health Ireland Joe O’Flaherty discussed the impact the CellCheck programme is having on SCC. He showed results for the last five years indicating a continual decline in average SCC. O’Flaherty said: “A 10% decline in average SCC across the industry would save the Irish industry €38 million per year, which is a significant amount of money.”

AHI chairman and Longford dairy farmer Mike Magan addressed the audience at the start of the night. “I stand here jealous because I was not invited to this event but I congratulate every one of you for the SCC results you achieved in 2014. I’m delighted you turned out here in such large numbers to get formal recognition of a job well done,” Magan said.

On the night, farmers listened to a panel discussion which included Ornua chief executive Kevin Lane, Dairygold chief executive Jim Woulfe, Teagasc director of research Frank O’Mara and CellCheck co-ordinator Finola McCoy. During the course of the debate, Jim Woulfe reinforced his opinion that milk quality was more than just SCC and all aspects such as bacteria, milk solids, etc, were equally important.

He said: “I recognise that SCC is a big part of the milk quality financial equation but milk quality is only as good as the weakest link so all aspects need to be looked at.”

Customers asking about milk quality

Kevin Lane insisted Ornua research was showing that not alone is milk quality vitally important when supplying international markets but more recently consumers want to know more about animal welfare and they want to understand where the milk is coming from.

On the night, those with the 10 best results were presented with an Ornua hamper. The farmers came from all over Ireland and were supplying milk to the Kerry Group, Drinagh Co-op, Bandon Co-op, Lakeland, Glanbia, Arrabawn and LacPatrick.

Find the full list below and listen to an interview with winners James and Carmer Croke in our podcast:

  • James and Carmel Croke, Co Tipperary