Dairy farmers of the year share recipe for success

DAIRY Farmers of the Year Michael and Thomas Enright from Ballynorth, Askeaton Co Limerick, started out in life with one pig, moving into dairy by adding one heifer at a time from sales of pigs.

The Enrights, who supply milk to Kerry Agribusiness, picked up the overall prize at yesterday’s National Dairy Council Quality Milk Awards at the RDS, Dublin. Broadcaster Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh presented the father-and-son team with the NDC perpetual cup and a €5,000 cheque. They also won Top Manufacturing Milk Supplier.

The runners-up and winners of the Top Liquid Milk Supplier award were Michael and Gerard Gowing from Kilminchy, Portlaoise, Co Laois, who supply milk to Glanbia. A total of 11 farmers from eight counties picked up awards, but none had a more remarkable tale to tell than the Enrights.