2 November 2020
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
FARM NEWS: Cork winners at the 2020 QualityMilkAwards.ie
Ornua and the National Dairy Council (NDC) are pleased to announce the Starrett family, supplying Aurivo Co-op in Donegal, as the winner of the 2020 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
Now in its 11th year, the awards, dubbed the ‘Oscars of the Dairy World’, acknowledge, and celebrate the highest standards of excellence in dairy farming.
The cream of Cork also rose to the top of the awards (pun intended) as 3 farming families won in particular categories; Lowest TBC Award: The Daunt family, Cork (Bandon Co-op); Lowest SCC Award: The Keohane family, Cork (Barryroe Co-op); Development Award: The Lordan Family, Cork (Dairygold Co-op).
The 2020 shortlist was made up of 11 dairy farming families representing 11 dairy co-ops nationwide. All farming finalists underwent a detailed assessment by an expert judging panel including Professor Pat Wall from UCD, Dr David Gleeson from Teagasc and Dr Jack Kennedy, Deputy Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal. Each of the finalists were judged on sustainable farming practices, milk quality, technical knowledge and animal welfare on-farm practices.
Overall winner Richard Starrett, supplying Aurivo Co-op, will receive €5,000 in prize money and take home the coveted NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards perpetual cup. His farm in Lifford Co. Donegal is a true family operation where he resides with his parents, his wife Wendy and children David, Holly and John. Richard believes sustainability is the biggest and most important aspect of farming and is focused on improving the sustainability of his farm.
In conclusion; the Cork Winners of the 2020 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards were
Lowest TBC Award
- The Daunt family, Cork (Bandon Co-op)
Lowest SCC Award
- The Keohane family, Cork (Barryroe Co-op)
Development Award
- The Lordan Family, Cork (Dairygold Co-op)
- The O’Donovan Family, Cork (Drinagh Co-op)
- The Stack Family, Kerry (North Cork Creameries Co-op)
