Tipperary Dairy Farm Receive Overall Winners Award in NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards 2024

The Kennedy Family on their farm in Cahir, Co. Tipperary

The Kennedy Farm from Cahir has been announced as overall winners of the National Dairy Council & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards 2024 for supplying Dairygold Co-Operative.  

Following their nomination from Dairygold the Kennedy’s were put through a stringent judging process which assessed a range of areas across their farm business including environmental sustainability, hygiene standards, animal health and welfare, farm infrastructure, soil and grassland management, community engagement and technical performance. Demonstrating that they had achieved the highest standards in their business, the Kennedy’s were awarded the 2024 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk 2024 perpetual cup for their display of excellence in dairy farming.  

Speaking about the Kennedy’s farm receiving the overall winner award 2024, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to this year’s overall winner of the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, the Kennedy family, for their commitment to producing the highest quality milk through sustainable dairy farming methods. 

The reputation of our Irish dairy industry both at home and abroad relies on the excellent quality standards epitomised by the farm families here today. This high standing is only made possible through suppliers who are willing to be leaders in the drive to produce the best quality milk in a sustainable way. All of today’s nominated families should therefore be immensely proud of the exemplary standards that have earned them the recognition of their own co-ops and the dairy industry at large. 

I would like to commend all of the finalists, category winners and overall winner, and wish them every continued success in proudly flying the flag for Irish dairying.” 

Also commenting on the announcement of the overall winner, Katrina Pierce, Professor of Dairy Production, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science said: “On behalf of the judging panel, I would like to warmly congratulate the Kennedy farm, the overall winners of the 2024 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. We spent a lot of time making the difficult decision to choose an overall winner this year as all finalists are excellent. Before the judges reach the farmgate, we know that the milk quality is of a superior standard across the board, but witnessing efforts around areas such as sustainability, animal welfare, water quality and biodiversity show what can be achieved on farm in terms of efficiency, climate action and technological innovation. The measures this year’s finalists are employing fills me with positivity for the future of Irish dairy. Well done to them all and the Kennedys for their distinction and deserved recognition as the overall winner.” 

In addition to the overall win at the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, the Kennedy’s were also recognised for their hygiene and facilities with the Milking Hygiene and Facilities Award.  

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