Local families enjoy success at Lakeland awards
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Rep of Ireland runners-up David Doughty and his son Daniel, accepting the award from Prof. Patrick Wall. Also included Colin Kelly, Chief Executive and Keith Agnew, Vice-Chair. ©Rory GearyImage 2 of 4
Rep of Ireland New Entrant winner, Ronan and Eileen Brady, accepting the award from Prof. Patrick Wall. Also included Colin Kelly, Chief Executive and Keith Agnew, Vice-Chair. ©Rory GearyImage 3 of 4
Sustainability Award winners Anthony and Niall Cadden, accepting the award from Prof. Patrick Wall. Also included Colin Kelly, left, Lakeland Dairies Chief Executive and Keith Agnew, right, Vice-Chairperson of Lakeland Dairies. ©Rory GearyImage 4 of 4
Rep of Ireland Cat 1 winners, Oliver and Ciaran McElroy, accepting the award from Prof. Patrick Wall. Also included Colin Kelly, left, Lakeland Dairies Chief Executive and Keith Agnew, right, Vice-Chairperson of Lakeland Dairies. ©Rory GearyTwo Cavan families are amongst the farmers recognised at the Lakeland Dairies Supreme Milk Quality Awards.
David Doughty of Drumgora Farm in Virginia received the highly commended runners-up award in the over 500,000 litre producer category while Ronan Brady from Cootehill was declared winner of the Republic of Ireland Best New Entrant Category.
The Milk Quality Awards are a recognition of the achievements of Lakeland’s milk suppliers. The winners emerged from among 3,200 farm families across 17 counties who produce 2bn litres of milk.
Winners
The awards were presented by Lakeland Dairies’ Chairman Niall Matthews and Group Chief Executive Colin Kelly at a special event Virginia Park Lodge Hotel, together with guest of honour Professor Patrick Wall.
The Supreme Champions are David and Irene Kerrigan from Irvinestown, in north Fermanagh. The partnership took home the top prize for the exceptionally high quality of milk produced on their farm throughout the past year. The Kerrigans also took home the
Amongst the other Milk Quality Award winners were Oliver and Ciaran McElroy from Carrickmacross, who won the >500,000 litre producer category award in the Republic of Ireland, while Anthony and Niall Cadden from Clones, won the Sustainability Award for outstanding commitment to sustainable milk production as well as environmental and economic sustainability, while Ronan Brady from Cootehill was declared winner of the Republic of Ireland Best New Entrant Category.
Uncertainty
“At a time when there is huge policy uncertainty regarding the future of the Nitrates Derogation in ROI and the Nutrients Action Programme in NI, it is heartening and reassuring to see farmers’ unwavering commitment to producing quality milk” said Lakeland Dairies Vice-Chairperson, Keith Agnew. “Lakeland Dairies continues to make the strongest possible cases to policy and political leaders in NI and ROI to ensure that our farm families and our business can continue to grow and develop for the generations to come.”