Ornua and the National Dairy Council are pleased to announce the Macnamara family, from Hospital, Co. Limerick – supplying Kerry Agribusiness – as the overall winner of the 2023 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
The Macnamaras were announced as winners of the prestigious awards at a special ceremony held in Ballymaloe House in Co. Cork where a total of 14 farming families from seven counties, representing 14 dairy co-operatives, were acknowledged for excellence in dairy farming and milk production.
Following nomination from their respective co-operative, each finalist 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 Macnamaras were recognised among their peers for demonstrating high standards of excellence across the board and accepted the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards perpetual cup for 2023.
Commenting on the awards Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD, said:
“The NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards recognise the exceptionally high standards in dairy farming practice that Irish farming families exhibit every day across the country. My sincere congratulations go to the 2023 overall winner, the Macnamara family, on their success in reaching the pinnacle of this year’s programme. To be recognised by your own co-operative as a nominee is in itself a fantastic achievement, so all of the 14 finalists can be immensely proud of this recognition, and I wish them all continued success.”
Aidan O’Driscoll, Ornua Co-operative Chair, said:
“On behalf of Ornua, I would like to congratulate John, Olivia and the Macnamara family on being recognised as the overall winner of The NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards for 2023. The dedication that the Macnamaras hold in maintaining world-class standards of dairy farming and milk production is what makes Irish dairy products so revered globally. This dedication is clearly shared by all 14 finalists, who represent the qualities of our unique grass-based family farming system and are role models for our industry and their respective communities. I would like to thank each of the families for their continued commitment to strengthening the high standards of dairy excellence that these awards proudly celebrate.”
Zoë Kavanagh, CEO National Dairy Council, said:
“I am delighted to congratulate the Macnamara family from Co Limerick. Their four children, Caoimhe, Conor, Ailbhe and Padraic, all contribute to the running of the farm. This is exactly why Irish dairy is so unique and special, the family farming model that has been practised in Ireland for over 6,000 years and continues to ensure that the Irish dairy is renowned and revered for its high quality at home and abroad. We need to continue to celebrate the sustainability of Ireland’s grass-based production system which sets us apart and creates a highly nutritious and affordable product, which will continue to nourish generations to come!”
A total of seven category awards were also presented to families who recorded outstanding performance in environment management, EBI, farm infrastructure, adoption of technologies, grassland management, protein and butter fat content, and low carbon footprint.
This year’s judging panel included Karina Pierce, Professor of Dairy Production in University College Dublin School of Agriculture and Food Science, Dr Patrick Wall, Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin and Dr David Gleeson of Teagasc.
2023 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards Winner, Category Award Winners and Finalists:
Overall Winner & Farm Infrastructure Award – Macnamara Farm, Co. Limerick – Kerry Agri-Business: MacNamara Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Overall Runner-up & Environment Award – Bergin Farm, Co. Tipperary – Centenary Thurles: Bergin Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Grassland Management Award – Brennan Farm, Co. Cavan – Lakeland Dairies: Brennan Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Adoption of Technologies Award – Coleman Farm, Co. Cork – Barryroe: Coleman Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Best Protein & Butterfat Percentage Award – Gordon Farm, Co. Mayo – Aurivo Co-op: Gordon Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Lowest Carbon Footprint Award – Lonergan Farm, Co. Tipperary – Tipperary Co-op: Lonergan Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Highest EBI Award – O’Leary Farm, Co. Cork – Dairygold: O’Leary Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Finalists:
Clarke Farm, Co. Tipperary – Arrabawn: Clarke Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Collins Farm, Co. Cork – Lisavaird: Collins Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Dower Farm, Co. Waterford – Tirlán: Dower Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Dullea Farm, Co. Cork – Bandon Co-op: Dullea Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Kingston Farm, Co. Cork – Drinagh: Kingston Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
Mason Farm, Co. Kerry – Lee Strand: Mason Farm – NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
ENDS
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact Cathy Curran, Communications Manager NDC on 086 877 7664 or pr@ndc.ie
For Ornua please contact:
Seán P O’Brien, Communications Manager | 087 910 4470 | sean.p.obrien@ornua.com
Paul O’Kane, Murray Consultants | 086 609 0221 | pokane@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.
