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The NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards is an annual national award programme which recognises standards of excellence in dairy farming.
Dairy co-operatives throughout the country are invited to nominate their top suppliers for the awards each year. The farms nominated for the annual awards undergo a detailed assessment by an expert judging panel based on milk quality test results and technical reports spanning a full 12-month period in order to select a short-list of finalists.
The NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards assesses the top dairy farms across several key areas:
Overall Winners of 2025 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards – Ryan Farm from Co. Tipperary
Considering the growing importance of sustainability across farming and food production, we have introduced additional criteria to identify farmers operating a sustainable dairy operation with clear evidence of excellent practices in the areas beyond quality milk. We are specifically looking for farmers demonstrating their care for the environment, animals, and livelihood. While the quality of milk produced is the ultimate indicator of excellence, judges are now seeking finalists who achieve optimum performance in five key areas:
Tipperary
Nominated by Centenary Thurles Co-op
The Ryan family of Moyne, Thurles, carry a legacy that stretches back over five generations to 1860. Today, Tom, Mary, and their son Michael continue that tradition on Maryland Farm, combining deep respect for heritage with a clear vision for the future.
Michael, fresh from celebrating Tipperary’s All-Ireland triumph when the judges visited, returned home in 2018 after completing a degree in Agriculture at Waterford. His arrival brought new energy and ambition, forging a three-way partnership with his parents that has accelerated the farm’s progress. Together, they represent the perfect blend of experience, education, and innovation.
Find out more about the Ryan Farm: https://www.qualitymilkawards.ie/ryan-farm-2025.
2024 Quality Milk awards WINNERS
Nominated by Dairygold
Aidan and Derval Kennedy of Drangan House, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, operate a dairy farm on a scale that sets it apart from many others in the competition. With a herd of 374 cows milked through a state-of-the-art 50-unit rotary parlor, the Kennedys manage a 132-hectare milking platform, along with an additional 61 hectares, producing over 2 million litres of milk annually.
The scale and complexity of this operation require a well-oiled team where family and staff management are as crucial as herd management. Farm manager Roger O’Donnell, who holds a dairy business degree from UCD and spent seven years working in New Zealand, plays a pivotal role in daily operations and lives with his family in a house on the farm. The team also includes long-standing employees Paul Moloney and Nerimantus Mikuckas, with 30 and 17 years of service respectively, and Vasile Barbieru, another valued team member.
2023 Quality Milk awards WINNERS
Nominated by Kerry Agribusiness
John Macnamara alongside his wife, Olivia, farms in Gormanstown, Hospital, Co. Limerick. Their four children, Caoimhe, Conor, Ailbhe and Padraic, all contribute to the running of the farm. John believes that working together fosters a strong family connection and ensures the Macnamara family values are ingrained in their family farm. The farm’s legacy traces back to John’s father Pat, who entrusted John with its care after he completed the Green Cert at Teagasc, Kilmallock.
John’s passion for farming was instilled from an early age. As the eldest of six children, he developed a robust work ethic and love for the land. With an understanding that the milk leaving his yard will shortly be on the consumers’ table, John takes immense pride in producing a product that is of the highest quality.
Professor of Public Health at UCD
“This year’s finalists are exceptional, producing a highly nutritious food that is vital for human health while maintaining the highest standards of hygiene, animal welfare, and environmental care.
Each farm is a model of best practice and embodies what is unique about Irish dairy, family-run, quality-driven and meticulous in every detail. They give national and international consumers full confidence in our milk and dairy products and our production systems. Judging these farms has been an inspiring reminder to me of everything that is good about Irish agriculture.”
Prof. Patrick Wall is both a vet and a medical doctor. He has recently retired as Professor of Public Health in University College Dublin. As a doctor, he is a specialist in Communicable Diseases and was the head of the Foodborne Diseases Division of the UK CDC.
He was the first Chief Executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and contributed to the setting up of this science-based consumer protection agency created in response to the BSE crisis. He is a member of the international scientific advisory committee of the Chinese National Agency for Food Safety and Risk Assessment. He is also on the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.
He is the Cchairperson of Independent Milk Laboratories (IML), a joint venture between Progressive Genetics and the UK National Milk Records, which has developed a new state-of-the-art milk laboratory in Kells, Co. Meath. The facility provides accredited, independent testing for milk quality and herd health, helping Irish milk processors and farmers maintain the highest standards of production and sustainability
Milk Quality Research Officer at Teagasc
“The nominees for this year’s competition include an uncle-and-nephew team, a fully rented farm, and a robotic system farm – all reflecting the evolving nature of succession and the transformation of farm systems within the industry.”
Dr. David Gleeson is a Research Officer in the Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark. He is currently responsible for a research area with a focus on improving the quality of milk produced on dairy farms, with specific focus on milk hygiene, milk storage, teat disinfection, cleaning of milking equipment, detergents, minimizing residues at farm level and udder health.
David is presently leading a number of research projects and has published over 80 peer-reviewed research papers. His previous research interests include machine milking, milking frequency, calf-rearing and farm labour efficiency. He hails from a farming background in Newport, Co. Tipperary. He has an MSc from University College Cork and a PhD degree from University College Dublin.
Professor of Dairy Production, UCD
“I was once again really impressed by the technical knowledge and the can-do attitude of all finalists. A particular highlight was the drive to continue to improve the environmental sustainability of each farm and of the food we produce, and the deep appreciation for the importance of improving biodiversity on farms.”
Professor Karina Pierce graduated with a BAgrSc in 2001 and completed her PhD in 2005, both from UCD. She is Professor of Dairy Production, Director of External Relations and Programme Director for the BAgrSc Dairy Business Programme in the School of Agriculture and Food Science, UCD. Her research focus is on the sustainability of dairy production systems.
Karina is a board member of Bord Bia and chairs the Meat and Livestock Subsidiary Board. She is a past President of the Agricultural Science Association and a former member of the Teagasc Authority. Karina is also a 2019 Nuffield Ireland Scholar and a former Board Member of Nuffield Ireland. Her Nuffield research focused on future-proofing the agri-food sector through robust research.
For further information on the awards and to read about previous winners please visit www.qualitymilkawards.ie or email qualitymilkawards@ndc.ie
