Farmer Awards

★ Tech Innovator Dairy Farmer of the Year

This award recognises dairy farmers who show sustainable and innovative grassland management and production.  It rewards sustainable practice in grassland management towards environmental, soil and water quality, whilst maintaining production levels.

  • Cathal Fleming – Moyadd Holsteins, Laois

  • Dinny Galvin – NEWKD Farm Family Committee

  • Brendan Gildea – Galway

  • Rebecca O’Halloran – Longford

2026 FINALISTS

★ Biodiversity Dairy Farmer of the year

This category celebrates dairy farmers who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship, implementing innovative practices to enhance the natural capital on their farms.

  • Maria Phelan – Laois Organic

  • Shane Fitzgerald – Fitzgerald Farm, Waterford

  • Bruce Thompson – Camcloon Dairy, Laois

  • Donal O’Donoghue – O’Donoghue Farm, Cork

★ FBD Dairy Farm Manager of the year

Gives much deserved credit to dairy farm managers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, management and innovation in the daily operations of their farm, driving productivity and profitability.

  • Brian O’Reilly – Benvult Ltd, Limerick

  • Alan Daly – Deerpark Farm, Waterford

  • Katie O’Toole and David Fogarty – Cantwells Court Farm, Kilkenny

  • Shauna Convery – Callan Dairy Milk, Louth

★ Germinal Sustainable Dairy Grassland Farmer of the Year

In recognition of dairy farmers under the age of 35 who have shown exceptional dedication to maintaining the health and welfare of their herd through the implementation of best practices and innovative solutions.

  • Michael Carroll – Carroll Farm, Limerick 

  • John Haugh – Kyle Farm, Tipperary

  • Brian O’Reilly – Benvult Ltd, Limerick

★ Animal Health Dairy Farmer of the Year

Is an initiative to recognise and reward the excellence of Irish dairy farmers who are currently achieving high standards of animal health and care.

  • Joe Brennan – Roscommon

  • Gerard Sherlock – Monaghan

  • Jeremy O’Toole – Wicklow

★ Mullinahone Co-op Young Dairy Farmer of the Year

In recognition of dairy farmers under the age of 35 who have shown exceptional dedication to maintaining the health and welfare of their herd through the implementation of best practices and innovative solutions.

  • Conor Wynne – Cluain Bainne Bó Bleathain, Kildare

  • Rebecca O’Halleran – O’Halleran Family Farm Ltd, Longford

  • Clodagh Brennan – Brennan Farm, Antrim

  • James Boyd – Monaghan

  • Olivia Boyle - Callan Dairy Milk, Louth

Farm Network Awards

★ Cormac Tagging Dairy Discussion / Support Group of the year

This award celebrates the exceptional contribution of a dairy group in promoting collaboration, knowledge-sharing, education, networking and innovation among its members to drive improvements in the dairy industry.

  • West Kerry Dairy Farmers SEC

  • Damer Discussion Group – Tipperary

  • 3D Dairy Diploma Discussion Group – Monaghan

★ Green Acre Marketing Dairy Social Media Ambassador of the year

This award highlights dairy farmers who have demonstrated exceptional use of social media to promote the dairy industry and engage with the public, sharing their passion for dairy farming and its vital role in society.

  • John Cantillon – Dromkeen Farmer, Kerry 

  • Shannon Porter – The Milk Bar, Donegal 

  • Ellen O’Neill – O’Neill Dairy Farm, Wicklow 

  • Louise Crowley - Limerick

★ Dairy Vet of the year

This award pays tribute to a dairy veterinarian who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to animal health and welfare, providing innovative and effective solutions to the challenges facing the dairy industry.

  • Lucy Jerram – Highfield Veterinary, Naas

  • Donal Lynch – Tullamore

  • Ciaran Murphy – Loaf Vets, Mountmellick

★ Irish Farmers Monthly Dairy Advisor of the Year

This award recognises a dairy advisor who has demonstrated exceptional support using research-based information to help dairy farmers to implement best practices on their farms.

  • Raymond Ryan – Dairygold

  • Meabh Byrne – Agriautomate

  • Bryan Harte – Tirlán

  • Sinead Gallagher – Lely

★ Best Dairy Research Programme/Project

A reward for the best research project/programme based on improving an element of the Irish dairy industry within the parameters of environmental, social and/or economic sustainability.

  • Entrust Project – Dublin

  • Biomethane for Carbon and Community Project – Tipperary

  • Pathways Farm Succession Programme –  Dairygold

★ Carbery Dairy Innovation Recognition Award

This award honours a new groundbreaking product or service enhancing sustainability and/or workflows on dairy farms or across the dairy supply chain, thus promoting excellence in economic, environmental and/or social aspects of the industry.

  • DairyTech AutoSpray – William Scanlan DairyTech, Waterford

  • The Dairygold Gateway App – Dairygold, Cork

  • Point 8 Health and Safety App – NEWKD Farm Family Committee 

  • GyPSy Pro Max – GyPSy Technologies, Cork

Dairy Produce Awards

★ Agri Insider Best Artisan Dairy Product 2026

This award recognises dairy farmers who have embraced technology changes and demonstrated outstanding innovation and leadership in the adoption of new technology on their farm.

Cheese

  • Kylemore Farmhouse Cheese – Galway 

  • Stracciatella – Sabanero Dairy, Galway

  • Fior Di Latte Pearls – Sabanero Dairy, Galway

Non-Cheese

  • Ryan’s Farm Artisan Ice Cream – Cork

  • Wild Churn Gelato – Galway

  • Traditional Irish Butter – Dublin Farm Dairy, Dublin

  • Glass Bottled Milk – Dublin Farm Dairy, Dublin

  • URBO Milk – Four Acre Farm Foods, Meath

★ Herdwatch Best Dairy Product Innovation 2026

This award recognizes the exceptional dairy product innovations that add value to milk, such as new and improved processing methods or innovative products, demonstrating excellence in creativity, sustainability and market success.

  • URBO Milk – Four Acre Family Farm Foods, Meath

  • Vital Plus Fat Filled Milk Powder – Lakeland Dairies

  • Ryan’s Farm Artisan Ice Cream – Cork

  • White Chocolate and Strawberry Yoghurt and Oat Clusters – Nomadic Foods, Donegal

Processing Awards

★ Dairy Marketing Campaign of the year

This award highlights the most creative and effective marketing campaigns in the dairy industry, recognising their outstanding impact and success in promoting dairy products and raising awareness about the industry.

  • Nomadic and the Gavin Glynn Foundation – Nomadic Foods

  • World Without Cows Ireland – Alltech

  • The Pasture Paradox – Alltech

★ Calor Dairy Sustainability Initiative of the Year

Dairy producers and cooperatives that have shown exceptional dedication to quality, sustainability and animal welfare are recognised by this accolade, honouring their vital contributions to the growth and success of the dairy industry.

  • Biomethane for Carbon and Community Project – Technological University of the Shannon, Tipperary

  • Eminex Partnership – Alltech

  • Farm to Spoon Model – Ryan’s Farm Artisan Ice-Cream, Cork

★ PTSB Best Dairy Producer / Co-op of the year

Dairy producers and cooperatives that have shown exceptional dedication to quality, sustainability and animal welfare are recognised by this accolade, honouring their vital contributions to the growth and success of the dairy industry.

  • Dairygold

  • Sabanero Dairy

  • Tirlan