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28 Oct 2025
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28 Oct 2025
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he Trench / Ronayne Farm, from Claremorris Co. Mayo won the Lowest Carbon Footprint Award at the 2025 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
Ornua and the National Dairy Council are delighted to announce that the Trench / Ronayne Farm, from Ballindine Co. Mayo won the Lowest Carbon Footprint Award at the 2025 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
The prestigious annual awards programme, now in its 16th year, saw 12 farming families from seven counties and 12 dairy co-operatives, celebrated for excellence in milk production and sustainable dairying at a special ceremony hosted at Lyrath Estate Hotel, Co. Kilkenny.
Following their nomination by Aurivo Co-op, the Trench and Ronayne families took part in a comprehensive judging process that evaluated a range of the most important aspects of modern dairy farming. These areas of environmental sustainability, animal health and welfare, farm infrastructure, hygiene standards, soil and grassland management, farm advocacy and technical performance.
Donal and Liam began milking in 2021 after converting Liam’s suckler-to-beef holding into a modern dairy unit. Their 168-cow herd now produces 551kg of milk solids per cow annually, with butterfat at 5.1% and protein at 3.94%, supplying Aurivo Co-Operative. Focused on genetics, herd health, nutrition, and performance, the partners also prioritise water quality through fencing, riparian margins, and clover integration, with slurry applied via trailing shoe.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, commented: “Ireland’s global reputation as a sustainable producer of quality dairy is built upon the hard work and commitment of Irish farming families like the Ryan's and all those we celebrate today. Not only have they each earned the recognition of their own co-operatives, they have represented their families, local communities, and the national dairy sector with pride, showcasing what it takes to produce a top quality product while upholding the highest standards in animal care and environmental stewardship.
“I would like to commend all of this year’s finalists, the category winners and the overall winner, for their hard work and achievements. They each play a central role in safeguarding Ireland’s respected dairy tradition and I wish them all continued success.”
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