The 2026 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards took place this week, with the top prize bound for the Rebel County.

Ornua and the National Dairy Council (NDC) announced the Troy family farm of Corrough, Newtownshandrum, Co. Cork as the overall winners on Wednesday (September 30).

The deep family roots are stronger than those of the farm's high quality grass, as Robert Troy is the fifth generation milking on the family farm.

The business is in safe hands, as Robert and his wife Mary have now raised the sixth generation of the farm, with Rory, Robert Junior, Fiona, Orla, and Eimear all heavily involved.

Watch as Agriland speaks to Robert and Mary to see just what the win means to them.

Pride was the feeling of the day, with Robert stating that they are "immensely proud" to do what they do.

He noted how it has taken years of effort and continuous effort to get where they are today, with the generations before them "laying the foundations" of the current farm.

Mary noted how they are proud to showcase the industry in a good light, stating that the farm has given their family a "good way of life and a good work ethic".

The couple's pride in producing a nutritious product is clear, with Mary stating; "Our product is the envy of dairy products all over the world."

NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards

The NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards is one of the most significant achievements bestowed upon an Irish dairy farm, which is why the awards are often dubbed the 'Dairy Oscars'.

The Troys undoubtably have high milk quality, but that alone will no longer get your name engraved on the prestigious trophy.

The process begins way back in the early spring, as the three judges meet up with milk quality advisers across the country.

The judges are: Dr. David Gleeson, former research officer at the Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc; Prof. Karina Pierce, dean of Agricultural Science and head of School at UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science; and Prof. Patrick Wall, former chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Over the summer months, the three judges spend time on each of the 12 finalist farms, analysing all the facts and figures of the operations.

Grass management, animal health, and milk quality are at the heart of each inspection, but the judges do not stop there, taking note of just about everything that makes each unique operation run like it does.

Award-winning farm

So what does an award-winning farm look like?

If we look at the Troy family farm, they are milking 425 Holstein Friesian cows in a spring-calving system.

The herd produced an average of 498kg of milk solids per cow at 4.49% fat and 3.73% protein off 950kg of meal, which is supplied to Kinisla.

This was all done while maintaining a somatic cell count (SCC) of 89,000 cells/ml, and a total bacteria count of 8,000 CFU/ml.

These high standards allow them to use teat sealer only on 30% of the herd, and helped them to pick up the Milking Hygiene & Facilities Award at the event on Wednesday too.

The herd is in the top 1% nationally for economic breeding index (EBI), averaging €194.

This high standard of breeding has seen 11 of the Troy's home-bred bull accepted into artificial insemination (AI) stations over the last few years.

When it comes to grass, the farm grew 15t of dry matter (DM)/ha in 2025, with the Troys achieving a 285-day grazing.

This was done off a 100% clover distribution rate and with 100% protected urea used.

The Troys are involved in Kinisla's Evolve programme, as well as a further two European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs).

Through these, they plant a number of trees each winter, have established two ponds and a reed-bed system, as well as fencing off water courses and creating buffer zones.

All of this combined has seen the farm reduce its carbon footprint from 0.92kg C0₂ in 2017, to 0.77kg CO₂ in 2026.

All of this is done while creating an appealing work-life balance, with the family involved in both club and county football, hurling, and camogie.