Co-ops invited to nominate top dairy farmers for awards

Co-ops and dairies are being invited to select and nominate their top dairy farmers for the annual National Dairy Council and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. The closing date for entries is the end of April.

The awards recognise high standards on dairy farms with particular attention on sustainability, care of the environment, animal welfare and, of course, milk quality.

Known as “The Sam Maguire of Farming”, the awards also provide participating co-ops with role models at farm level and an opportunity to showcase dairy farming excellence.

Irish Dairy Board chief executive Kevin Lane said the world class quality milk that Irish farmers produce every day ensures that the dairy products it markets around the world meet the high standards that customers and consumers expect and enjoy. “As the industry prepares to maximise the unique opportunities the post quota environment will bring, it has never been more important to support and promote best practice dairy farm management.”

National Dairy Council chief executive Zoë Kavanagh said every dairy farmer will have different challenges in terms of considering whether to expand with the abolition of milk quotas. “However the quality of the core product, milk, remains at the heart of the opportunity for the dairy sector. The industry has an interest in making sure we maintain a sustainable dairy sector which continues to make the most productive use of our lush, natural and green resources.”

qualitymilkawards.ie