Kerrygold and the National Dairy Council (NDC) are pleased to announce the 14 Irish farming families, representing seven counties and 14 dairy co-operatives nationwide, who have been shortlisted as finalists for the 2023 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
The prestigious awards, now in their twelfth year, celebrate the highest standards of dairy production in Ireland with a focus on milk quality, animal welfare and sustainable farming practices.
Recognised across the dairy sector as Ireland’s leading dairy farming awards initiative, the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards honour dairy farming families from across the country who work tirelessly to produce the milk that earns Ireland its international reputation for quality and sustainably produced dairy.
Following nomination from their respective co-operative, each farming family participated in an intensive judging process examining a broad range of criteria including environmental management, animal health and welfare, farm infrastructure and hygiene, soil and grassland management and technical performance, among other core indicators. The judging panel for this year’s awards included Karina Pierce, Professor of Dairy Production in University College Dublin School of Agriculture and Food Science; Dr Patrick Wall is Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin; and Dr David Gleeson of Teagasc.
Commenting on the finalist announcement, Donal Buggy, Interim Chief Executive, Ornua, said:
“As Ireland’s largest dairy exporter and proud owner of Kerrygold, we at Ornua see first-hand how much Irish dairy is valued and appreciated by consumers worldwide. Ireland’s global reputation as a leading producer of quality dairy products would not be achievable without the passion, commitment and expertise of Irish farming families who produce the best quality milk in the world. We are pleased to continue to shine a light on the immense qualities of Ireland’s family dairy farming system that underpins that global reputation, through the annual NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.”
Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of the National Dairy Council said:
“It’s more important than ever to highlight and celebrate the incredible hard work, commitment and energy that is demonstrated 24/7 by Ireland’s 17,500 dairy food producers. The finalists for this competition demonstrate the highest standards of sustainable dairy production. Dairy farming has been going on in Ireland for over 4,000 years, it’s a part of our national identity. Our grass-fed family farming system is ideally suited to the Irish climate and delivers world class produce. The farmers who have been shortlisted this year represent the highest standards as food producers delivering an exceptional product that is enjoyed at home and revered by consumers all over the world.”
In recognising the strengths of Ireland’s family dairy farming system, the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards also represent a celebration of the very best of Irish food production, which quality and sustainably produced dairy is very much at the heart of. Widely considered one of Ireland’s leading culinary destinations, the award-winning Ballymaloe House, will host this year’s special awards ceremony next month, where the overall winner of the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards will be announced.
Introducing the 2023 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Award Finalists:
Bergin Farm, Centenary Thurles: Bergin Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Brennan Farm, Lakeland Dairies: Brennan Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Clarke Farm, Arrabawn: Clarke Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Coleman Farm, Barryroe: Coleman Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Collins Farm, Lisavaird: Collins Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Dower Farm, Tirlán: Dower Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Dullea Farm, Bandon Co-op: Dullea Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Gordon Farm, Aurivo Co-op: Gordon Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Kingston Farm, Drinagh: Kingston Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Lonergan Farm, Tipperary Co-op: Lonergan Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Macnamara Farm, Kerry Agri-Business: Macnamara Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Mason Farm, Lee Strand: Mason Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
O’Leary Farm, Dairygold: O’Leary Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
O’Riordan, North Cork Creameries: O’Riordan Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
ENDS
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact Cathy Curran, Communications Manager NDC on 086 8777 664 or pr@ndc.ie.
For Ornua please contact:
Seán O’Brien, Communications Manager | 087 9104470 | sean.p.obrien@ornua.com
Rachel Power, Murray Consultants | 087 939 9605 | rpower@murraygroup.ie
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 over €3.4 billion. Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua has a strong global team of 3,000 employees, operating from 10 business units worldwide, including 16 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. Markets are served by production facilities in Ireland, Germany & UK and by in-market Sales & Marketing Teams in Asia, Germany, Ireland, MEA, Poland, Spain, rest of Europe & North & Latin America.
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. The business is supported by production facilities in the UK, Spain, the US, Saudi Arabia, and by in-market teams in Africa and the Middle East.
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.
We are a farmer-funded representative body that works to promote and protect Ireland’s internationally-renowned dairy reputation for excellent products, sustainably produced. We believe in 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. All of our 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. We have a proven track record in promoting dairy products but now we need to actively promote farmers and dairy farming’s social license to operate in Ireland.
