Best dairy farms of 2018 are family affairs
The families behind Ireland’s high-performing dairy industry had their day in the sun at the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards presentation.
For the winners, Darren and Denise McKenna, nephews and nieces are all available to help out in times of need, and their neighbour Cormac helps out with relief milking.
Like most of the winning farms, theirs has come down through several family generations, with four McKenna children — Daithí, Caragh, Micheál and Annie — to continue the tradition.
The farm, at Derrygasson, Co Monaghan, supplies LacPatrick Dairies, and has expanded from 60 cows in 2007 to 105 now.
The McKennas have won €5,000 and the coveted NDC & Kerrygold perpetual cup.
Also the Healthy Herd Award winner, they came out on top of a short list of nine farms from 19 nominated for the awards.
The awards judges who visited the nine farms are Dr Jack Kennedy, Dairy Editor, Irish Farmers Journal; Professor Pat Wall, UCD; and Dr David Gleeson, Teagasc. Dr Jack Kennedy said, “The standard once again was exceptional, and highlights the capacity of Irish family dairy farms to produce a high-quality product that is unique to Ireland. “There is no doubt Irish dairy farmers are also reaching new heights in a consistent and sustainable manner.”
Runners-up and Data Management winners Tom, Mary and & Michael Ryan, supply the Centenary Thurles Co-op.
Michael holds a honours degree in Agricultural Science and began working the farm full time, in partnership with his parents, in 2017.
The Ryans milk 100 cows, and say they love being part of a co-operative structure.
The award winner for business innovation, Else Furney, Kilbrittain, Co Cork, nominated by Barryroe Co-op, paid tribute to farm manager Michael Hayes. “Michael was our lifesaver, he was 23 when he came to work on the farm with us”
Michael says young dairy farmers should consider partnerships, and that we need to make farming attractive to younger people.
Assistant manager Tom Chambers, Simon Furney, and Sean Hayes are also involved on this 160-cow farm.
The Development Award went to Tim and Dan Crowley, Bandon, Co Cork, nominated by Bandon Co-op. Dan’s son Tim has joined him full time on the farm in a partnership, milking 126 cows.
The Best Protein Production award went to Liam and Dolores O’Donovan, Clohane, Skibbereen, Co Cork, nominated by Drinagh Co-op. Milking 270 cows, Liam is the fifth generation of farmers on this land. He started helping aged eight, and went farming full time at 18.
The Best SCC award went to John and Yvonne Keating, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, nominated by Glanbia Ireland. John says he enjoys dairy farming because the routine suits family life. They have two children. A priority for John is that the 160-cow farm can be passed successfully to the next generation.
The Sustainability Award went to John O’Shaughnessy, Kildimo, Co Limerick, nominated by Kerry Agribusiness. John and his wife Mary have four children, Niamh, Patrick, Eoin and Tadhg, who all help on the 112-cow farm.
The Best TBC award went to Kevin and Bernie Downing, Whitechurch, Co Cork, nominated by Dairygold Co-op. Their farm manager, Tom Carr, has worked for 35 years on this 148-cow farm.
The Best Winter Milk award went to John and Anne McTiernan in Co Longford, nominated by Aurivo.
