Ornua and the National Dairy Council (NDC) have revealed the Starrett family, supplying Aurivo Co-op, as the winner of the 2020 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
Now in its 11th year, the awards, dubbed the ‘Oscars of the Dairy World’, acknowledge, and celebrate the highest standards of excellence in dairy farming.
The 2020 shortlist was made up of 11 dairy farming families representing 11 dairy co-ops nationwide.
All farming finalists underwent a detailed assessment by an expert judging panel. Each of the finalists were judged on sustainable farming practices, milk quality, technical knowledge and animal welfare on-farm practices.
His farm in Lifford, Co. Donegal, is “a true family operation” where he resides with his parents, his wife Wendy and children David, Holly and John, according to Ornua.
Richard believes sustainability is the biggest and most important aspect of farming and is focused on improving the sustainability of his farm.
This year, the winner was revealed live, for the first time ever, during a three-minute special extended ad break of The Late Late Show on Friday, October 30.
In a specially produced video, the stories of the 11 finalists were captured and the winner was then revealed on air to the suspense of all 11 finalists, their families, their co-ops and their communities.
- Overall winner – the Starrett family, Lifford, Donegal (Aurivo);
- Overall runner up and Highest EBI Herd Category Award – the Liston family, Limerick (Kerry Agri);
- Lowest TBC Award – the Daunt family, Cork (Bandon Co-op);
- Lowest SCC Award – the Keohane family, Cork (Barryroe Co-op);
- Development Award – the Lordan Family, Cork (Dairygold Co-op);
- Best Milk Solids Award – the O’Grady family, Kildare (Glanbia);
- National finalists – the Bowe family, Tipperary (Centenary Thurles), the Cormican Family, Galway (Arrabawn Co-op), the Graham Family, Cavan (Lakeland Dairies), the O’Donovan Family, Cork (Drinagh Co-op) and the Stack Family, Kerry (North Cork Creameries Co-op).
Although a traditional awards ceremony was not possible this year, The Late Late Show announcement allowed families all over Ireland to share in the celebration of the incredible hard work of Irish dairy family farms all over the country, Ornua says.
Judging panel representative, Prof. Pat Wall, commented, stating: “Since the establishment of the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards in 2009, the standard of entrants has improved year on year; which is a credit to the immense dedication of Irish family farms to producing the best quality milk in the world.
Consumers all over the world would be reassured by the attention to detail in terms of hygiene, food safety, animal health and welfare and environmental protection applied by each of our finalists.
“This year, we are delighted to announce the Starrett family from Lifford in Donegal as the winner of the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
“Their passion for quality, and commitment to sustainable on-farm practices, technical expertise and animal welfare make them well-deserved winners of this year’s award,” Prof. Wall said.