Waterford farm wins National Quality Milk Award

The country’s top prize for quality milk has been awarded to Tom and Moya Power, from Drumhills Farm, Cappagh, Co. Waterford who supply their milk to Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Ltd.

The winners for the National Dairy Council (NDC) and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards were announced in Dublin today with presentations to 10 of Ireland’s top dairy farmers by hurling legend Henry Shefflin.

Winners Tom and Moya Power were accompanied by Tom’s parents Jim and Brid Power and received a prize of €5,000 and the coveted NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards perpetual cup.

About the winners

Tom and Moya are the fifth generation of their family to farm at Drumhills farm, where they farm a total of 125 hectares (65 hectare milking platform) and last year the pair milked 200 cows, producing an average yield of 6,200L.

“One of the key elements I took from farming alongside my parents is their emphasis on attention to detail in every aspect of farming practices,” Tom said.

“Another crucial element to our farm is our helping team.

Although my father, Jim, has taken a step back over the years he is still a machine to work with and an encyclopaedia of knowledge alongside my mother Breda,” he said.

Tom and Moya Power were also awarded with an Excellence in Milk Quality award along with Ian and David Lambeton from Co. Donegal and Arthur, Ann and Conor O’Leary from Kilmallock, Co. Limerick.

Three farms receive Excellence in Milk Quality Awards:

• Tom and Moya Power, Drumhills Farm, Cappagh, Co. Waterford – nominated by Glanbia Ingredients Ireland
• Ian and David Lambeton, Fahan, Co. Donegal – nominated by Aurivo Co-op
• Arthur, Ann and Conor O’Leary, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick – nominated by Kerry Agribusiness

Seven farms were also present with national category awards at the awards ceremony.

National Category Award Winners:

• Highest milk solids per hectare – Sean and Treasa Moher, Croughmore Lower, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork (representing Dairygold Co-op)
• Development – John, Margaret and Denis O’Dwyer, Knockgorman, Donohill, Co. Tipperary (representing Tipperary Co-op)
• Sustainability – Thomas and Laura Griffin, Ballinroher, Timoleague, Bandon, Co. Cork (representing Barryroe Co-op)
• Highest Protein – Tim and Breda Hurley, Cahirbeg, Rosscarbery, Co. Cork (representing Lisavaird Co-op)
• Lowest TBC – Jim and Derry Byrne, Clonmore, Bree, Co. Wexford (representing Glanbia Ingredients Ireland)
• Lowest SCC – Gary, Emma and Martin Horan, Slevoyre, Terryglass, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary (representing Arrabawn Co-op)
• Runner up lowest SCC – Nicky and Philip Thornton, Beechbrook, Dualla, Cashel, Co. Tipperary (represnting Thurles Co-op)

To find out more about the finalists in the National Quality Milk Award visit www.qualitymilkawards.ie