Mayo farm announced as finalist in national milk awards

The Trench and Ronayne farm, a farm partnership between Donal Ronayne and his uncle Liam Trench, in Ballindine, has been shortlisted in the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. Recognised as Ireland’s leading dairy farming awards initiative, the annual NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards honours Ireland’s leading dairy producers who continue to work to enhance standards of excellence in dairy farming and milk production in Ireland.

Donal and Liam began milking in 2021, having converted Liam’s suckler-to-beef holding into a modern dairy unit. The 168-strong herd delivered an impressive 551kg of milk solids per cow during 2024 with butterfat at 5.1 percent and protein at 3.94 percent. The farm supplies Aurivo Co-Operative.

Herd genetics, herd health, nutrition and performance are a particular focus for this farm. With its riverside location, the partners are especially mindful of water quality and have implemented a number of protective measures, including fencing and riparian margins. White clover has been stitched into soil and slurry application is with a trailing shoe.

Farming here is a true family affair: Donal’s brother, a student of Dairy Business in UCD, helps out, while Liam’s daughter, Hannah, is a key member of the milking team, and his sons Aaron and Joe offer machinery expertise and lend a hand as needed.

The finalists, each nominated by their respective co-op, display excellence in dairy production over a number of key areas including animal health and welfare, dairy parlour facilities, milk hygiene and a range of sustainability measures. 

Conor Galvin, Chief Executive, Ornua said: “Ornua is proud to promote the highest standard in Irish dairy farming through our continued collaboration with the National Dairy Council. Every year, the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards recognise the unique skills and expertise of Irish dairy farmers from across the country who work tirelessly to raise the bar of excellence in dairying. 

Their dedication, craft and commitment to quality, are fundamental to safeguarding Ireland’s reputation as a producer of world-class, grass-fed dairy products. We at Ornua recognise the instrumental role these farmers and families play in protecting the platform that enables us to bring this unmatched proposition to the world, and we congratulate them all on their deserved recognition as finalists.”

READ MORE: Mayo RTE star Louise Duffy gets prime slot in Radio One shake-up

Emma Walls, CEO of the National Dairy Council said: “The NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards is an annual celebration of a daily practice on Ireland’s dairy farms. Come rain or shine, every day our farmers continue to inspire with a consistent commitment to quality, an unwavering focus on sustainability and a drive to be the best. This is what distinguishes Irish dairy, at home and abroad. The National Dairy Council is proud to partner with Ornua to celebrate the success of these exemplary family farms and we offer our heartfelt congratulations to the 12 finalists.”

Following nomination by their respective co-operative, each finalist participated in a rigorous judging process carried out by an independent judging panel that examined a broad range of criteria including milk quality, animal care, farm infrastructure and hygiene, soil and grassland management and technical performance, among other core environmental indicators.

The judging panel includes Prof Karina Pierce, Professor of Dairy Production, UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science; Prof Patrick Wall, Professor of Public Health, UCD, and Dr David Gleeson, Research Officer - Milk Quality, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre.

In addition to celebrating milk quality, the programme, which is a partnership between Ornua, the Kerrygold owner and the National Dairy Council, acknowledges those who are paving the way in enhancing sustainable dairy farming practices in Ireland.

This year’s awards programme spotlights areas such as reduction of carbon footprint, biodiversity, energy and water conservation, animal welfare and soil nutrient management. Judges will recognise six category award winners this year including winners for the following awards:

• Milking Hygiene and Facilities
• Lowest SCC
• Environmental Stewardship
• Grassland Management
• Lowest Carbon Footprint
• Animal Health and Welfare

The overall winner of the 2025 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards and category award winners will be announced at a special ceremony on Thursday, October 23 in Co. Kilkenny.

Meet the 2025 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards finalists here: https://www.qualitymilkawards.ie/ndc-kerrygold-quality-milk-awards

READ MORE: Mayo Minister announces €2.3 million for three Landmark Rural Regeneration Projects in Mayo