Ornua and the National Dairy Council (NDC) are delighted to announce the 12 Irish dairy farming families, representing seven counties and 12 dairy co-operatives from across the country, who have been shortlisted as finalists for the 2025 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
Introducing the 2025 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Award Finalists:
- Arrabawn – Kelly Farm, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
- Aurivo Co-op – Ronayne Farm, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
- Bandon Co-op – O’Donoghue Farm, Bandon, Co. Cork
- Barryroe Co-op – O’Donovan Farm, Kinsale, Co. Cork
- Centenary Thurles – Ryan Farm, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
- Dairygold Co-op – Sheehan and O’Reilly Farm, Whitechurch, Co. Cork
- Drinagh Co-op – Duggan Farm, Dunmanway, Co. Cork
- Kerry Dairy Ireland – Killeen Farm, Doonbeg, Co. Clare
- Lakeland Dairies – McElroy Farm, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan
- Lisavaird Co-op – O’Neill Farm, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
- North Cork Creameries – Stack Farm, Listowel, Co .Kerry
- Tirlán – Byrne Farm, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
Recognised as Ireland’s leading dairy farming awards initiative, the annual NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards honours Ireland’s leading dairy producers who continue to work to enhance standards of excellence in dairy farming and milk production in Ireland. The finalists, each nominated by their respective co-op, display excellence in dairy production over a number of key areas including animal health and welfare, dairy parlour facilities, milk hygiene and a range of sustainability measures.
Conor Galvin, Chief Executive, Ornua said:
“Ornua is proud to promote the highest standard in Irish dairy farming through our continued collaboration with the National Dairy Council. Every year, the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards recognise the unique skills and expertise of Irish dairy farmers from across the country who work tirelessly to raise the bar of excellence in dairying. Their dedication, craft and commitment to quality, are fundamental to safeguarding Ireland’s reputation as a producer of world-class, grass-fed dairy products. We at Ornua recognise the instrumental role these farmers and families play in protecting the platform that enables us to bring this unmatched proposition to the world, and we congratulate them all on their deserved recognition as finalists.”
Emma Walls CEO of the National Dairy Council said:
“The NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards is an annual celebration of a daily practice on Ireland’s dairy farms. Come rain or shine, every day our farmers continue to inspire with a consistent commitment to quality, an unwavering focus on sustainability and a drive to be the best. This is what distinguishes Irish dairy, at home and abroad. The National Dairy Council is proud to partner with Ornua to celebrate the success of these exemplary family farms and we offer our heartfelt congratulations to the 12 finalists.”
Following nomination by their respective co-operative, each finalist participated in a rigorous judging process carried out by an independent judging panel that examined a broad range of criteria including milk quality, animal care, farm infrastructure and hygiene, soil and grassland management and technical performance, among other core environmental indicators.
The judging panel includes Prof. Karina Pierce, Professor of Dairy Production, UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science; Prof. Patrick Wall, Professor of Public Health, UCD; and Dr. David Gleeson, Research Officer – Milk Quality, Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre.
In addition to celebrating milk quality, the programme, which is a partnership between Ornua – the Kerrygold owner – and the National Dairy Council, acknowledges those who are paving the way in enhancing sustainable dairy farming practices in Ireland. This year’s awards programme spotlights areas such as reduction of carbon footprint, biodiversity, energy and water conservation, animal welfare and soil nutrient management. Judges will recognise six category award winners this year including winners for the following awards:
- Milking Hygiene and Facilities
- Lowest SCC
- Environmental Stewardship
- Grassland Management
- Lowest Carbon Footprint
- Animal Health and Welfare
The overall winner of the 2025 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards and category award winners will be announced at a special ceremony on Thursday, October 23rd, 2025 in Co. Kilkenny.
Meet the 2025 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards finalists here: https://www.qualitymilkawards.ie/ndc-kerrygold-quality-milk-awards
ENDS
For National Dairy Council, please contact: Niamh Gunn, National Dairy Council | nmgunn@ndc.ie | +353 87 673 5319
For Ornua / Kerrygold, please contact: Seán P O’Brien, Communications Manager, Ornua | sean.p.obrien@ornua.com | +353 87 910 7740
About Ornua
Ornua is an Irish dairy co-operative that markets and sells dairy products on behalf of its Members, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. Ornua is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products and has annualised sales of €3.4 billion. Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua has a strong global team of 2,800 employees, operating from 10 business units worldwide, including 12 production facilities. Ornua’s core purpose is to build profitable routes to market for Irish dairy products.
The Group is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. Ornua Foods is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornua’s consumer brands, including Ireland’s most successful food export, Kerrygold, as well as Kerrygold Dubliner, Pilgrims Choice, Forto and BEO milk powders.
Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products, for the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers across the world, and for managing volatility through de-risking and trading strategies.
About the National Dairy Council
The National Dairy Council (NDC) champions the role of sustainable, quality, pasture-based dairy production and its nutrition benefits in supporting healthier and more active living.
A farmer-funded representative body, NDC works to promote and protect Ireland’s internationally-renowned dairy reputation for excellent products, sustainably produced. The NDC advocates for a future in which Irish dairy is recognised and trusted as a vital part of people’s diet, indispensable to Ireland’s social and economic wellbeing. Its actions are built on a comprehensive understanding of dairy’s role across the life-stages, supporting and using research to answer important questions about dairy products, how they are produced and their role as part of a balanced diet. The NDC plays a vital role in shaping Irish public opinion on dairy production & products, protecting dairy farming’s social license to operate in Ireland.
