Tirlán, Ireland’s leading farmer-owned dairy and grain co-operative, is celebrating and rewarding excellence, innovation, and commitment among its family farm milk suppliers at its Dairy and Sustainability Awards.
The awards, which took place on Tuesday, April 29th, recognise the long-standing commitment of Tirlán’s dedicated suppliers to delivering high-quality, sustainably produced milk from grass-based herds across Ireland. Many farmers have been supplying Tirlán and caring for the land for several generations.
A total of 16 awards were presented across a variety of categories, from exceptional milk quality and milk solids to environmental stewardship and innovation.
The highlight of the afternoon was the announcement of the Byrne family from Coolnasmear, Dungarvan in Waterford as Tirlán Milk Supplier of the Year as well as the title of Milk Solids Champion. The award recognises their outstanding performance across the board in a variety of areas, key among them milk quality, sustainability, and animal welfare.
John and Mary Byrne from Dungarvan Co Waterford, as Tirlán celebrated and rewarded excellence, innovation, and commitment among its family farm milk suppliers at its Dairy and Sustainability Awards. Photos: Finbarr O’Rourke
John is the fifth generation to farm there and says the family farm is very special to him.
“We put huge emphasis on animal health, whether it be the calves or the cows. We try to keep their nutrition right at all times. Grass is number one and we try to get as much quality grass into them as we can.
“If we don’t look after this country and this earth, nobody else is going to. We have to keep things right on farm. The vast majority of farmers are doing that and doing it very well.”
The South Region Award went to John Kirwan Jnr who farms at Ballycashin, Butlerstown, Waterford.
John Kirwan Jnr, Butlerstown, won the Tirlán South Region Award. Pictured from (L to R) were Tirlán Board Member Brendan Hayes, Jane and John Kirwan, and Tirlán Milk Supply Manager Padraig Nugent.
Daniel O’Brien from DJ O’Brien & Sons from Tallow was singled out for his dedication and rewarded with the Milk Driver Recognition Award.
Pictured from (L to R) were Tirlán Board Member Dan Lynch, Daniel O’Brien of DJ O’Brien and Sons and Tirlán Ingredients Transport Manager Mike O’ Neill.
John Murphy, Chairperson of Tirlán, congratulated all recipients: “These awards are a celebration of the passion, care and innovation that our family farm suppliers bring to their work every day. It all starts on the family farm and it’s about so much more than milk. It’s about the family farm business. It’s about values, progress and pride in doing the right thing.
“The quality of Irish milk and of our Irish family farm model based on grass-fed is our unique selling point around the globe. It’s something we’re very proud of and it is winning us new markets and new customers every day. Our R&D and innovation teams are adding value to this quality milk, allowing us to deliver nutritious food and ingredients solutions for our customers as well as enhanced, consistent market opportunities for our suppliers. Congratulations to our overall Milk Supplier of the Year and to all our category winners for raising the bar for Irish dairy.”
Seán Molloy, CEO of Tirlán, added: “We are incredibly proud of our suppliers and their commitment to quality and sustainability. They are the reason our products are trusted across Ireland and around the world. Working with our suppliers, we continue focus on innovation, enhancing biodiversity, protecting our waterways, embracing new technology and new ways of working to reduce carbon. Our strong focus on farming with nature and animal welfare ensures we are building a better, more resilient future for Irish dairy.”
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