Search On For Ireland’s Top Dairy Farm
The competition to identify and reward the country’s top dairy farm has opened for 2016, with dairy co-ops throughout Ireland invited to nominate their top milk suppliers for the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, before the closing date of Friday 13th May, 2016.
“Irish dairy produce has a superb reputation for quality in global markets,” says Jeanne Kelly, Kerrygold spokesperson. “In Ireland, many of us take it for granted that we have countryside with so many fields of grass – but our green countryside is a tremendous asset because the pasture-based model of dairy farming is a vital ingredient for the success of the Kerrygold brand worldwide.”
National judge Professor Pat Wall from UCD says consumers in Ireland are fortunate to have access to fresh top quality milk everyday for their breakfast and for their coffee or tea. “We are the envy of consumers in many other countries,” he remarks. “Our farmers are not only focused on producing quality milk but are addressing animal welfare and environmental protection and our award winners are role models for all the dairy farmers of Ireland and are phenomenal ambassadors for our industry.”
“When we visit the short-listed farms every year as judges we see at first hand the genuine pride of Irish dairy farmers in what they do on a daily basis,” says Dr David Gleeson of Teagasc. “It is a pleasure for us as judges to share in their experiences. What stands out is dedication to consistently doing the simple things right; and a heartfelt wish to carry on the tradition of the family farm, passing on the farm as good as, or better than it was before to the next generation.” A celebratory campaign, under the heading #MadeForThis, will focus on the importance of heritage and the sense of collective kinship that exists in farm communities.
The judges will initially undertake detailed assessments based on the nomination forms and technical reports spanning a full 12 month period in order to select a short-list of finalists. The judges will then arrange to visit each of the finalist farms for an inspection.
In addition to identifying the top dairy farm, the national judges reserve the option to award specific category awards in sectors which stand out from year to year, such care for the environment or animal care and welfare.
Interestingly all of the 2015 national finalists were registered with Bord Bia’s Sustainable Assurance Scheme with pro-active farm practices related to biodiversity or conservation of wildlife, to demonstrable work on soil nutrient planning or water, extending to initiatives such as rainwater harvesting.
Nominations for the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards should be submitted from co-ops and co-op farm services managers using the official nomination form, before Friday 13th May, 2016. Rules, nomination criteria and details about the minimum qualifying standards for entry are listed on the front of the 2016 nomination form, available at www.qualitymilkawards.ie
