David and Irene Kerrigan, a farm family from Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh, have been crowned the supreme champions at the Lakeland Dairies milk quality awards.
The awards aim to recognise the achievements of Lakeland Dairies’ milk suppliers who are committed to quality in all aspects of their milk production, with winners being selected from 3,200 farm families across 17 counties.
The Kerrigans also took home the <1m litre producer category award in Northern Ireland.
The awards were presented by Lakeland Dairies chair Niall Matthews and group chief executive Colin Kelly at a special event Virginia Park Lodge Hotel, Co Cavan, together with guest professor Patrick Wall.
Lakeland Dairies vice-chair Keith Agnew said that producing high-quality milk does not happen overnight, it is the result of generations of hard work and skill.
“Every time dairy farmers step into the parlour, they are putting to use a lifetime of experience, knowledge and dedication,” he said.
Government policy
In addition, Agnew took the opportunity to highlight the policy uncertainty facing farmers in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“At a time when there is huge policy uncertainty regarding the future of the nitrates derogation in the Republic of Ireland and the nutrients action programme in Northern Ireland, it is heartening and reassuring to see farmers’ unwavering commitment to producing quality milk,” he added.
“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.”
Awards
>500,000l winners (Republic of Ireland): Oliver and Ciaran McElroy from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.>500,000l runners-up (Republic of Ireland): David Doughty, Drumgora Farm Ltd, Virginia, Co Cavan.<500,000l winners (Republic of Ireland): PJ and Colm Geraghty from Rochfordbridge, Co Westmeath.<500,000l runners-up (Republic of Ireland): David Clabby, Abbeyshrule, Co Longford.Sustainability award (Republic of Ireland): Anthony and Niall Cadden from Clones, Co Monaghan.>1m litre winners (Northern Ireland): James and Richard Barr from Ballymoney, Co Antrim.>1m litre runners-up (Northern Ireland): Paula L Neill of Neill Farms, Portadown, Co Armagh.<1m litre winners (Northern Ireland): David and Irene Kerrigan from Irvinstown, Co Fermanagh.<1m litre runners-up (Northern Ireland): James and Tom McClelland from Limavady, Co Derry.Best new entrants (Republic of Ireland): Ronan Brady from Cootehill, Co Cavan.Best new entrants (Northern Ireland): Martin McConville from Rathfriland, Co Down.Young farmer award: Eoin Lenehan from Duleek, Co Meath.The young farmer award is aimed at recognising the activity and involvement of young farmers in bringing fresh and new ideas to the family farm. The winner receives a bursary to take part in an agricultural study tour of their choice before the end of 2026.
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David and Irene Kerrigan, a farm family from Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh, have been crowned the supreme champions at the Lakeland Dairies milk quality awards.
The awards aim to recognise the achievements of Lakeland Dairies’ milk suppliers who are committed to quality in all aspects of their milk production, with winners being selected from 3,200 farm families across 17 counties.
The Kerrigans also took home the <1m litre producer category award in Northern Ireland.
The awards were presented by Lakeland Dairies chair Niall Matthews and group chief executive Colin Kelly at a special event Virginia Park Lodge Hotel, Co Cavan, together with guest professor Patrick Wall.
Lakeland Dairies vice-chair Keith Agnew said that producing high-quality milk does not happen overnight, it is the result of generations of hard work and skill.
“Every time dairy farmers step into the parlour, they are putting to use a lifetime of experience, knowledge and dedication,” he said.
Government policy
In addition, Agnew took the opportunity to highlight the policy uncertainty facing farmers in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“At a time when there is huge policy uncertainty regarding the future of the nitrates derogation in the Republic of Ireland and the nutrients action programme in Northern Ireland, it is heartening and reassuring to see farmers’ unwavering commitment to producing quality milk,” he added.
“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.”
Awards
>500,000l winners (Republic of Ireland): Oliver and Ciaran McElroy from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.>500,000l runners-up (Republic of Ireland): David Doughty, Drumgora Farm Ltd, Virginia, Co Cavan.<500,000l winners (Republic of Ireland): PJ and Colm Geraghty from Rochfordbridge, Co Westmeath.<500,000l runners-up (Republic of Ireland): David Clabby, Abbeyshrule, Co Longford.Sustainability award (Republic of Ireland): Anthony and Niall Cadden from Clones, Co Monaghan.>1m litre winners (Northern Ireland): James and Richard Barr from Ballymoney, Co Antrim.>1m litre runners-up (Northern Ireland): Paula L Neill of Neill Farms, Portadown, Co Armagh.<1m litre winners (Northern Ireland): David and Irene Kerrigan from Irvinstown, Co Fermanagh.<1m litre runners-up (Northern Ireland): James and Tom McClelland from Limavady, Co Derry.Best new entrants (Republic of Ireland): Ronan Brady from Cootehill, Co Cavan.Best new entrants (Northern Ireland): Martin McConville from Rathfriland, Co Down.Young farmer award: Eoin Lenehan from Duleek, Co Meath.The young farmer award is aimed at recognising the activity and involvement of young farmers in bringing fresh and new ideas to the family farm. The winner receives a bursary to take part in an agricultural study tour of their choice before the end of 2026.
Read more
Lakeland Dairies increases May milk price
Milk output running 6-10% ahead of 2024 levels
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