Pictured (L/R): Michael Hanley, CEO Lakeland Dairies, Andrea & Alan Nicholson, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue TD, William Nicholson, Niall Matthews (Chairman, Lakeland Dairies), David Gunn, Easyfix (Sponsor) and Mark Gibson, Farm Staff Member.

A dairy farming family in Co. Monaghan has been announced as Supreme Champions of the Lakeland Dairies Milk Quality Awards, presented by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD. William and Alan Nicholson, Drumacrib, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan claimed the accolade for the exceptionally high quality of milk produced on their farm throughout the past year, from a milk supply base of over 3,200 dairy farmers producing 2bn litres of milk for Lakeland Dairies.  The Nicholsons also took home the >500,000 litre producer category award in the Republic of Ireland. 

A dairy farming family in Co. Monaghan has been announced as Supreme Champions of the Lakeland Dairies Milk Quality Awards.

Farm families in Monaghan, Westmeath, Cavan, Meath, Offaly, Fermanagh, Down, Tyrone, Armagh and Antrim won awards for the highest quality milk.

The Milk Quality Awards are public recognition of the achievements of Lakeland Dairies’ milk suppliers who are committed to quality in all aspects of their milk production.

Winning a milk quality award is a truly excellent achievement. The winners emerged from among 3,200 farm families across 16 counties who produce milk for the 2bn litres Lakeland Dairies milk pool.

The awards were presented by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, with Lakeland Dairies Chairman Niall Matthews and Group Chief Executive Michael Hanley at a special event on Thursday 23rd June.

Speaking at the awards, Minister Charlie McConalogue said:

“To win an award where you are recognised by your own co-op for having produced a top-quality product is a truly remarkable achievement. Producing high-quality milk is not something that is done overnight. It is a lifetime’s achievement and the result of a commitment to excellence every time you step into the parlour and every breeding decision you make.

“I commend all the Lakeland Dairies farm families who are the bedrock of a hugely impressive cross-border operation. The co-op is a shining beacon of sustainably exporting world-class products across the globe.  Sustainability is a key priority for the Lakeland Dairies farm families and the entire co-op and I pay tribute to this drive for continuous improvement. Both I and the rest of the Government will back this sustainability agenda while continuing to support the production of world-class food.”

Lakeland Dairies Supreme Milk Quality Champions

The Supreme Champions of the Lakeland Dairies Milk Quality Awards are William and Alan Nicholson, Drumacrib, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. They claimed the accolade for the exceptionally high quality of milk produced on their farm throughout the past year.

Pictured (L/R): Andrea & Alan Nicholson, William Nicholson and Mark Gibson.

In addition to the Supreme Champions, Lakeland Dairies also announced winners in the other categories of the Milk Quality Awards.

>500,000 Litre Category Winners

Winners: the Nicholsons also took home the >500,000 litre producer category award in the Republic of Ireland.

Highly commended: runners-up in the >500,000 litre producer category were Richard and Joan Greene, Killeen, Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath.

Pictured (L/R): Michael Hanley, CEO Lakeland Dairies, Richard & Joan Greene and Niall Matthews (Chairman, Lakeland Dairies).

<500,000 Litre Category Winners

Winner: Sean Higgins, Trim, Co. Meath, was the winner of the <500,000 litre producer category.

Highly Commended: Micheal Smith, Lishenry, Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan was the runner-up in the <500,000 producer category.

Pictured (L/R): Michael Hanley (CEO Lakeland Dairies), Peter, Mary, Sean & John Higgins (Winners) and Niall Matthews (Chairman, Lakeland Dairies).

Pictured (L/R): Michael Hanley (CEO Lakeland Dairies), Oisin, Ann Marie, Michael & Vanessa Smith (Highly Commended) and Niall Matthews (Chairman, Lakeland Dairies).

Sustainability Award Winners

Winners: Rosemary and David Moran, Glasson, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, won the Lakeland Dairies Sustainability Award for their outstanding commitment to sustainable milk production and environmental and economic sustainability.

Pictured (L/R): Michael Hanley (CEO Lakeland Dairies), Rosemary Moran, baby Sawyer, David & Siobhan Moran (Winners) and Niall Matthews (Chairman, Lakeland Dairies).

Best New Entrants

Lakeland Dairies has welcomed over 350 new milk producers to the co-operative in recent years.

Winners (ROI): Dairy farmers PJ, Peter Jnr. and Donal Grogan, Leamore, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, were declared winners of the Republic of Ireland Best New Entrant Category.

Winners (NI): Kevin and John McDonnell, Brookeboro, Co. Fermanagh won the Northern Ireland Best New Entrant Category, for their high quality of milk supplied to Lakeland Dairies.

Pictured (L/R): Michael Hanley (CEO Lakeland Dairies),Peter Jnr & Donal Grogan, Emer Molloy and Niall Matthews (Chairman, Lakeland Dairies).

Pictured (L/R): Michael Hanley, CEO Lakeland Dairies, Kevin McDonnell, Keith Agnew (Vice chair, Lakeland Dairies) and Niall Matthews (Chairman, Lakeland Dairies)

Northern Ireland

>1m Litre Category Winners

Winners: John Morrow and Scott Davidson, Gilnahirk, Co. Down, won the >1m litre milk producer category in Northern Ireland.

Highly Commended: Fred and David Liggett, Stewartstown, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone were runners-up in the >1m litre producer category of the awards in Northern Ireland.

Pictured (L/R): Michael Hanley (CEO Lakeland Dairies), Helen & Scott Davidson, Keith Agnew (Vice chair, Lakeland Dairies) and Niall Matthews (Chairman, Lakeland Dairies).

Pictured (L/R): Michael Hanley (CEO Lakeland Dairies) Heather & Fred Ligget, Keith Agnew (Vice chair, Lakeland Dairies) and Niall Matthews (Chairman, Lakeland Dairies)

<1m Litre Category Winners

Winners: William and Bertie McCrum, Markethill, Co. Armagh won the <1m litre producer category in Northern Ireland.

Highly Commended: Harry, Lex and Alastair Campbell, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim were runners-up in the <1m litre producer category in Northern Ireland.

Pictured (L/R): Michael Hanley (CEO Lakeland Dairies), Bertie & Allie McCrums, Keith Agnew (Vice chair, Lakeland Dairies) and Niall Matthews (Chairman, Lakeland Dairies).

Pictured (L/R): Michael Hanley (CEO Lakeland Dairies), Lex Campbell, Niall Matthews (Chairman, Lakeland Dairies) and Keith Agnew (Vice chair, Lakeland Dairies)

Lakeland Dairies Chairman, Niall Matthews paid tribute to the award winners:

“Dairy farmers produce the 2 billion litres of wholesome milk that we use to create a diverse range of dairy products for our customers worldwide. Dairy farming crosses the generations, creating a livelihood for families while contributing to rural economic development and environmental sustainability. We are proud of the high quality of our milk pool as exemplified by the winners of the Lakeland Dairies milk quality awards. I congratulate all of our dairy farmers for their achievements and for their excellent ongoing contribution to our farmer owned dairy co-operative.”

Lakeland Dairies Group CEO Michael Hanley said:

“The population of the world relies on the quality and integrity of the global food supply chain from farm to fork. This demand continues to grow and dairy provides the solution. Quality and sustainability are the building blocks of our entire businessand this underpins the trust that our customers and consumers place in us. The milk producers of Lakeland Dairies have always met this responsibility with great dedication. I’m delighted to pay tribute to their achievements as we recognise our milk quality award winners.”

Michael Hanley added,

“Despite higher costs, those farmers who have continued to spread fertiliser and to feed cows as normal, are being handsomely and profitably rewarded with the record high milk prices throughout this year.”

All pictures by Rory Geary