The Quality Milk Awards announces 2020 finalists

Ornua and the National Dairy Council (NDC) are pleased to announce 11 dairy farming families representing 11 dairy co-ops nationwide have reached the finals of the 2020 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

The awards celebrate the highest standards of excellence in dairy farming with a focus on milk quality, animal welfare and sustainable farming practices. This year, Glanbia Ireland’s nomination is the O’Grady’s farm.

These awards are more relevant than ever this year. Throughout what continues to be a challenging 2020, Ireland’s 18,000 dairy farming families are working hard to keep the country’s supermarket shelves stocked with rich, creamy grass-fed dairy products whilst maintaining exceptional standards in milk quality. In response, communities all over Ireland are showing an increased appreciation for access to quality, home-grown food produce.

Every year, the finalists gather with their families and are celebrated at a very special awards ceremony in Dublin.  Given this year’s constraints and to ensure the achievements of these families are recognised, the finalists will be showcased, and the winner revealed, on nationwide television during a three-minute ad break of the Late Late Show on Friday 30^th October.

Introducing the 2020 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards finalists:

• Catherine & Edward Bowe, Tipperary nominated by Centenary Thurles Coop
• Eamon Cormican, Galway nominated by Arrabawn Coop
• Nigel Daunt & Family, Cork nominated by Bandon Coop
• Stanley & Tanya Graham, Cavan nominated by Lakeland Dairies Coop
• Jerry Keohane, Cork nominated by Barryroe Coop
• Fiachra & Mary Liston, Limerick nominated by Kerry Agribusiness Coop
• Denis, Nora & Michael Lordan, Cork nominated by Dairygold Coop
• William & Dan O’Donovan, Cork nominated by Drinagh Coop
• Thomas Junior, Thomas and Mary O’Grady, Kildare nominated by Glanbia Ireland Coop
• William Stack, Kerry nominated by North Cork Creameries Coop
• Richard Starrett, Donegal nominated by Aurivo Coop

Commenting on the announcement, John Jordan, CEO Ornua said ‘It is now more important than ever to acknowledge the community of farming families who have worked really hard and shown great resilience in keeping quality, nutritious dairy in our fridges despite the unprecedented challenges of 2020.

All farming finalists undergo a detailed assessment by an expert judging panel based on milk quality test results, technical reports spanning 12 months and evidence of sustainable and animal welfare on-farm practices. Finalists were visited by judges Professor Pat Wall from UCD, Dr David Gleeson from Teagasc and Jack Kennedy, Dairy Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal in September under strict Covid-19 protocols, with the standard of finalists having improved further since the national awards programme was introduced in 2009.

Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of the NDC said, “Irish dairy is renowned globally for being grass-based, high-quality and low-emissions with the most efficient production system in Europe.”

The Glanbia Ireland team wish the O’Gradys all the best in the National Dairy Council and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards 2020. We would also like to congratulate last years overall winners the Hearne family from Rathgormack, Co. Waterford.