Waterford family with 'unwavering focus' shortlisted for major national award

The Byrne dairy farming family from Dungarvan in Co. Waterford have been shortlisted in the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

Recognised as Ireland’s leading dairy farming awards initiative, the annual NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards honours Ireland’s leading dairy producers who continue to work to enhance standards of excellence in dairy farming and milk production in Ireland.

The Byrne Family Dairy Farm, who supply Tirlán, is located at Coolnasmear outside Dungarvan in the picturesque Comeragh Mountains.

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The family includes John and Mary and their teenage children, Molly and Eamon, and John’s parents, Eamon and Mary.

John is the fifth generation on the farm and it’s clear that they are farming with the future in mind.

With an unwavering focus on milk quality and animal welfare standards, John and Mary see their job as stewards, minding the farm for those who will follow, and enhancing it along the way.

Nominated by Tirlán, the Byrne Family milk 220 cows.

The farm produced an outstanding average of 556kg of milk solids in 2024, with an impressively low TBC (12) and SCC (56) during the year.

With a 20-unit DeLaval parlour, the family work very hard to maintain the highest standards of hygiene with a strict cleaning regimen.

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The finalists, each nominated by their respective co-op, display excellence in dairy production over a number of key areas including animal health and welfare, dairy parlour facilities, milk hygiene and a range of sustainability measures.

"Come rain or shine, every day our farmers continue to inspire with a consistent commitment to quality, an unwavering focus on sustainability and a drive to be the best. This is what distinguishes Irish dairy, at home and abroad," Emma Walls, CEO of the National Dairy Council, said.

Following nomination by their respective co-operative, each finalist participated in a rigorous judging process carried out by an independent judging panel that examined a broad range of criteria including milk quality, animal care, and farm infrastructure and hygiene.

This year’s awards programme spotlights areas such as reduction of carbon footprint, biodiversity, energy and water conservation, animal welfare and soil nutrient management