Winners & Finalists 2024
Farmer Awards
★ Kerry Dairy Ireland 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.
🏆 Rachel and James Creighton, Co. Kildare
Shane FitzGerald, Co. Waterford
Thomas Stack, Co. Limerick
Bruce Thompson, Co. Laois
★ MSD Animal Health Tech Innovator Dairy Farmer of the year
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.
Seamus Barry, Co. Kerry
🏆 John Hanrahan, Co. Limerick
Thomas O'Harte, Co. Monaghan
Owen O'Sullivan, Co. Kerry
★ AHV Ireland 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.
🏆 Peter Clarke, Co.Tipperary
Eamon and Cathal Devereux, Co. Wexford
Bill George, Co. Laois
John McCarthy, Co. Kerry
★ 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
🏆 Rikki Bayer, Co. Cork
Caolan Flanagan, Co. Offaly
Nicole Keohane, Co. Cork
Martin O'Reilly, Co. Laois
★ ICOS 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.
Michael Bryson, Co. Wexford
Patrick Dunne, Co. Meath
🏆 Kevin O'Hanlon, Co. Wexford
Emmet Prendergast, Co. Waterford
★ Germinal Responsible Dairy Grassland Manager of the year
This award recognises dairy farmers who show sustainable and innovative grassland management and production. It rewards responsible practice in grassland management towards environmental, soil and water quality, whilst maintaining production levels
Damien Haverty, Co. Galway
Brian Hogan, Co. Tipperary
David Kerr, Co. Laois
🏆 Martin Ryan, Co. Tipperary
Farm Network Awards
★ Cormac Tagging Dairy Discussion Group of the year
This award celebrates the exceptional contribution of a dairy discussion group in promoting collaboration, knowledge-sharing and innovation among its members to drive improvements in the dairy industry.
West Kerry Dairy Farmers
🏆 Royal Tara Group
Pathfinders Discussion Group
★ 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.
Sophie Bell, Co. Cavan
🏆 Louise Crowley, Co. Limerick
Katie Gleeson, Co. Tipperary
Aoife Mullen, Co. Dublin
★ Norbrook 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.
Isabel Coen - James Dunne Vet Clinic, Co. Cork
Don Goggin - Moyne Veterinary Hospital, Co. Wexford
🏆 Marie-Louise Ryan - Mulcair Vets, Co. Limerick
Lesley Trenier - Smyth Vet Services, Co. Donegal
★ Grassland Agro Best Dairy Advisor
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.
Mike Brady, Co. Cork
Martin Crowe, Co. Limerick
🏆 Mary Kinston, Co. Kerry
Michael Monahan, Co. Monaghan
★ AgTech Ireland 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.
🏆 Farm Zero C - BiOrbic and Carbery Group
Milk Quality Analysis (MQA) in the dairy industry - Rahul Mhapsekar, Walton Institute
Reducing Enteric Methane Production from Agriculture - Dr Ben Lahart, Teagasc
★ Carbery Dairy Innovation Recognition Award
This award honours a new groundbreaking product or service enhancing sustainability on dairy farms or across the dairy supply chain which promotes excellence in economic, environmental and/or social aspects of the industry.
🏆 Agri Data Analytics
DLF - Ecotain Environmental Plantain
Nesty - Bainne Bot Milk Vending Machine
Dairy Produce Awards
★ Best Artisan Dairy Cheese 2024
The successful nominees for this honour will be the best of the best in the artisan cheese industry, having demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship, innovation and creativity in producing high-quality artisanal cheeses.
Cooleeney Cheese (Cooleeney Farmhouse Cheese)
Edward Lonergan (Knockanore Raw Milk Smoked Mature Cheddar)
Dayana Maltese (Mozzarella Fior Di latte)
🏆 Teresa Roche (Kylemore Blossom Cheese)
★ Best Artisan Dairy Product 2024 (non-cheese)
This award celebrates the exceptional producers of non-cheese artisanal dairy products who have demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship, innovation and creativity in producing high-quality dairy products using traditional methods and techniques.
🏆 Bó Bar Soap - Gail Daniels, Co. Kilkenny
The Good Dairy Company - Catherine Good, Co. Cork
Bó Bainne Úr - Michael Cahalane and Sally Kearney, Co. Cork
Greenfield Yogurts - Jonathan Owens, Co. Cork
★ Ifac Best Dairy Product Innovation 2024
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.
🏆 Bó Bar Soap (Gail Daniels), Co. Kilkenny
Lactose Free Yogurt (The Tipperary Cheese Company), Co. Tipperary
Sabanero’s Fior Di latte Log (Dayana Maltese), Co. Galway
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.
Airfield Estate Education Programme
Carbery schools to farm programme 2023/24
🏆 Lakeland Dairies - Nature is Wonderful Campaign
National Dairy Council, Future Farmer Competition - From Bloom to Beyond
★ Business Post 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
Glenisk
Kerry
The Tipperary Cheese Company
★ Local Power Best Dairy Sustainability Driver
This category recognises an individual within the dairy industry who have demonstrated leadership, guidance and support to farmers to maintain and improve their farm sustainability.
Barry Caslin
🏆 Dinny Galvin
Jack Pilkington and Alan O'Donovan
★ Calor Best Dairy Sustainability Initiative of the year
Dairy industry leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainability through innovative and effective practices and initiatives, reducing environmental impact, ensuring animal welfare and supporting long-term industry viability, are recognised by this award.
Decarbonisation and Sustainability Programme - Dairygold
🏆 Farm Zero C - BiOrbic and Carbery Group
Pathway to a Better Future - Lakeland Dairies
HEADLINE Awards
★ Agri Insider Dairy Leader of the year
This award recognises the exceptional leaders who have made significant contributions to the dairy industry, demonstrating outstanding leadership, innovation and commitment to driving growth, sustainability and success in the industry.
🏆 Professor Donagh Berry
★ AXA Overall National Dairy Award Winner
The overall award is open to all winners of the previous categories for who the judges deem worthy as the overall National Dairy Award Winner.
🏆 Mary Kinston, Co. Kerry