North Tipperary farm up for milk quality award
Clarke family from Ballycommon in the running
Three Tipperary families are among 14 farms who have reached the finals of the 2023 National Dairy Council (NDC) and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. The Clarke family from Ballycommon, Nenagh, the Bergin family from Kilbragh, Cashel, and the Lonergan family from Drangan More, Cahir have all been shortlisted for the awards.
Peter Clarke is a fifth-generation farmer from Ballycommon, Nenagh. His wife, Natasha, joins him working on the farm. Their three children, Hollie, Eve and Andrew are always happy to give a helping hand. Peter is the youngest of seven siblings and worked the farm from an early age, greatly influenced by his parents and brothers. Peter took over the farm at the age of 20 and has been managing the land ever since. The Clarkes, who are representing Arrabawn Co-op, live in the original family homestead, maintaining a strong connection to their family heritage. Over the years, Peter has modernised the farm while respecting its traditional roots. Situated on the picturesque banks of Lough Derg, Peter nurtures the land and takes great pride in the environment surrounding him. Peter is a member of the local discussion group, working alongside local farmers to improve farming practices.
Representing seven counties and 14 dairy co-ops nationwide, the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards recognise and celebrate the highest standards of dairy production with a focus on milk quality, animal welfare, and sustainable farming practices.
The prestigious awards, now in their twelfth year, honour farming families who work hard every day to produce top quality dairy using sustainable production methods. In recent years, additional criteria have been added to acknowledge dairy farmers who prioritise animal welfare, sustainability, and hygiene on their farms.
Following nomination from their respective co-operative, each farming family participated in an intensive judging process examining a broad range of criteria including environmental management, animal health and welfare, farm infrastructure and hygiene, soil and grassland management and technical performance, among other core indicators. The judging panel for this year’s awards included Karina Pierce, Professor of Dairy Production in University College Dublin School of Agriculture and Food Science; Dr Patrick Wall is Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin, and Dr David Gleeson of Teagasc.
Commenting on the finalist announcement, Donal Buggy, Interim Chief Executive, Ornua, said: “As Ireland’s largest dairy exporter and proud owner of Kerrygold, we at Ornua see first-hand how much Irish dairy is valued and appreciated by consumers worldwide. Ireland’s global reputation as a leading producer of quality dairy products would not be achievable without the passion, commitment and expertise of Irish farming families who produce the best quality milk in the world. We are pleased to continue to shine a light on the immense qualities of Ireland’s family dairy farming system that underpins that global reputation, through the annual NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.”
Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of the National Dairy Council, added: “It’s more important than ever to highlight and celebrate the incredible hard work, commitment and energy that is demonstrated 24/7 by Ireland’s 17,500 dairy food producers. The finalists for this competition demonstrate the highest standards of sustainable dairy production. Dairy farming has been going on in Ireland for over 4,000 years, it’s a part of our national identity. Our grass-fed family farming system is ideally suited to the Irish climate and delivers world class produce. The farmers who have been shortlisted this year represent the highest standards as food producers delivering an exceptional product that is enjoyed at home and revered by consumers all over the world.”
In recognising the strengths of Ireland’s family dairy farming system, the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards also represent a celebration of the very best of Irish food production, which quality and sustainably produced dairy is very much at the heart of. Widely considered one of Ireland’s leading culinary destinations, the award-winning Ballymaloe House, will host this year’s special awards ceremony next month, where the overall winner of the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards will be announced.