Tipperary discussion group win overall FBD National Dairy Awards
Michael Berkery, Chairman of the FBD Trust, presents the award for ‘Overall FBD National Dairy Award’ to Damer Discussion Group. File picture
The Damer Discussion Group, from Co Tipperary, scooped up the ‘Overall FBD National Dairy Award Winner’ on November 5.
The group secured two wins on the night, being crowned overall winners and being awarded the ‘Cormac Tagging Dairy Discussion Group of the Year Winner 2026’.
The FBD National Dairy Awards hosted and honoured the achievements of all of the award’s finalists, who included farmers, processors, vets, advisors, innovators, artisans, marketers and discussion groups, all leading the way in supporting Ireland’s thriving dairy industry.
The big winner on the night, Damer Discussion Group, were established in 1989; the group has built more than 35 years of farmer-to-farmer learning, business development, friendship and accountability.
Read More
Clear rules, rotating leadership, an annual programme and a culture of honest challenge have allowed the group to evolve while maintaining high standards and gradually bringing younger farmers into an experienced membership. The judging panel agreed that the calibre of finalists and winners was to be commended.
Other big winners included:
- Mullinahone Co-op Young Dairy Farmer of the Year Winner 2026: Conor Wynne, Co Kildare.
- Dairy Vet of the Year Winner 2026: Donal Lynch, Slieve Bloom Veterinary.
- Local Power Best Dairy Sustainability Driver Winner 2026: Tara McCarthy, Alltech.
- Green Acre Marketing Dairy Social Media Ambassador of the Year Winner 2026: Louise Crowley, Co Limerick.
- IFP Media Dairy Leader of the Year Winner 2026: Professor Karina Pierce, Dean of Agriculture at UCD.
- PTSB Best Dairy Producer / Co-op of the Year: Dairygold.
Commenting on the awards, Managing Director of Agri Insider, Michael Nolan, said: “The National Dairy Awards, launched in 2023, applaud our dairy champions and act as a social event to bring the entire dairy sector together for a night of celebration and recognition. Since their launch, the awards have become one of the pre-eminent agri awards ceremonies in the country. Our goal is to continue to grow and cement our position as ‘the best night in the dairy calendar…
Congratulations to our finalists and our winners, who all represent the best of the best of our thriving dairy industry. Thank you also to our partners and sponsors, and to our esteemed judging panel, who really committed to the process of finding worthy winners from some very high-quality submissions.”
Chairman of the FBD Trust, Michael Berkery, commented: “At FBD, we are proud of our long-standing relationship with Irish farmers and the agricultural sector. Founded by farmers, for farmers, FBD continues to maintain a close connection with rural Ireland and its communities.
The FBD Trust was established to advance the interests of farm families and the farming sector through support for research, education and knowledge transfer. Over many years, the Trust has invested in initiatives that strengthen Irish agriculture, improve competitiveness and support the long-term sustainability of our farming and food industries.
Concluding, Mr Berkey said: “The future success of Irish dairy farming will depend on the continued development of skilled, progressive and forward-thinking individuals who are prepared to embrace change while maintaining the highest standards of production, sustainability and animal care.
The people recognised here tonight represent the very best of that ambition and commitment. They are helping to ensure that Irish dairy farming remains competitive, resilient and world-leading for generations to come.”
