12 finalists announced for the 2026 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards
The search for Ireland's top dairy farm for 2026 gathers paces as national judging concludes
06 July 2026 - Ornua and the National Dairy Council are proud to announce the 12 shortlisted finalists for the 2026 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. Recognised as Ireland’s leading national dairy farming awards programme, the Quality Milk Awards honours the country’s leading producers and farm families at the forefront of advancing standards of excellence in grass-based dairy farming and milk production.
Introducing the 2026 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards Finalists:
Arratipp Co-op – Breen Farm, Gorteen, Co. Tipperary
Aurivo Co-op – Kelly Farm, Ballyarrell, Co. Donegal
Bandon Co-op – Kelleher Farm, Tullyland, Co. Cork
Barryroe Co-op – Kirby Farm, Ballinascarty, Co. Cork
Centenary Thurles Co-op – Campion Farm, Graigue, Co. Tipperary
Dairygold Co-op – Carroll Farm, Coolrus, Co Limerick
Drinagh Co-op –O'Donoghue Farm, Maulatrahane, Co. Cork
Kinisla – Troy Farm, Newtownshandrum, Co. Cork
Lakeland Dairies – Loughrey Farm, Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath
Lisavaird Co-op – Buttimer Farm, Lyre, Co. Cork
North Cork Creameries – Dennehy Farm, Kilbrin, Co. Cork
Tirlán – Fitzgerald Farm, Portlaw, Co. Waterford
Now in its 17th year, the programme, which is a collaboration between Ornua - the Kerrygold owner - and the National Dairy Council, recognises the ‘best of the best’ from Ireland’s dairy farming community. Collectively, the finalists represent a blueprint for the future of Irish dairying - each producing high-quality milk from healthy cows, operating profitable businesses, embracing innovation, while reducing environmental impact and engaging positively with and on behalf of their communities.
Emma Walls, CEO of the National Dairy Council said: “As we mark another year of the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, we once again have the privilege of recognising the exceptional standards being achieved on dairy farms across the country. Year after year, these awards shine a spotlight on farmers whose commitment to quality, sustainability and continuous improvement sets the benchmark for excellence. The standard of entries remains remarkably high, reflecting the dedication and professionalism that underpin Ireland's dairy sector.
Beyond producing high-quality milk, these farmers play an increasingly important role as ambassadors for Irish dairy. By sharing their experiences and opening up conversations about modern farming, they help build trust and understanding, giving consumers a greater appreciation of the care, commitment and expertise that define Irish dairy farming. The National Dairy Council is proud to partner with Ornua in celebrating the achievements of these outstanding family farms, and we extend our sincere congratulations to the 12 finalists.”
Jeanne Kelly, Communications Director, Ornua said: “As long-standing partners of the National Dairy Council, we are proud to once again present the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, which in 2026 mark 17 years of recognising excellence and elevating best-in-class Irish grass-fed dairying on the national stage.
The Awards have come to stand for quality that goes beyond the quality of the milk itself. They represent excellence in farm management, from hygiene and grassland practices to breeding, environmental stewardship and animal care, as well as recognising the importance of advocating for what you do to help encourage and inspire the next generation of dairy farmers. Together, these standards ensure Irish grass-fed dairy continues to represent the gold standard globally, and through the Kerrygold brand, Ornua is proud to bring these qualities to millions of consumers all over the world every day. Congratulations to all of this year’s shortlisted finalists on earning the recognition of their respective co-ops and best wishes to them all for the weeks and months ahead.”
Each shortlisted finalist emerged from a rigorous internal selection process within their own co-operative and has been chosen as the farm that best represents their co-op’s milk suppliers. The shortlisted finalists have each progressed to the most demanding phase of the programme as judging for the 2026 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards nears its conclusion.
Over the past fortnight, finalist farms have been assessed by an independent judging panel comprising Professor Karina Pierce, Professor of Dairy Science in UCD; Dr David Gleeson, one of Ireland's leading dairy milk quality specialists; and Professor Patrick Wall, former Chief Executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and former Chair of the European Food Safety Authority. Together, the judges bring expertise spanning dairy production, grassland management, milk quality, animal health, food safety, sustainability and consumer expectations.
Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, Professor Karina Pearce said: “These finalists have already achieved something very special. Each has been selected by their co-operative as the farm to represent its milk suppliers, so the national competition is effectively an all-ireland contest between the very best dairy farms. What the judges are now looking for is excellence across the entire farming system; exceptional milk quality, healthy animals, environmental responsibility, commercial viability and the ability to act as an ambassador for Irish dairying. The farm that ultimately wins will be one that demonstrates that all of these elements can be successfully combined on a modern family farm.”
What the judges look for:
While milk quality remains at the heart of the awards, the judging process reflects the increasingly broad expectations placed on modern dairy farmers. The judges are seeking a farm that not only produces exceptional milk but also demonstrates excellence in animal welfare, environmental stewardship, sustainability, business management and ambassadorial potential.
Milk quality indicators including Total Bacterial Count (TBC), Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and milk constituents remain critically important. However, these figures alone do not determine the overall winner. The national winner must demonstrate a complete farming system that consistently delivers outstanding results while maintaining healthy animals, protecting natural resources, and operating as a commercially viable family business.
Animal health and welfare are key components of the assessment. The judges examine fertility performance, calf management, mastitis control programmes, lameness prevention, herd health planning and overall standards of stockmanship. Increasingly, the best farms achieve excellent milk quality through proactive management and prevention rather than intervention.
Environmental performance is also a major consideration. Nutrient management planning, fertiliser efficiency, slurry utilisation, watercourse protection, biodiversity enhancement, carbon footprint reduction and grassland management all form part of the judging process. The finalists are demonstrating that profitability and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Grassland management remains one of the defining strengths of Irish dairying. Many of this year's finalists are making extensive use of grass measurement, PastureBase, clover incorporation, low-emission slurry spreading technologies and precision nutrient management to maximise the value of home-grown forage while reducing environmental impact.
The judges also assess the wider farm business, including labour efficiency, infrastructure, technology adoption, succession planning and long-term resilience.
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards is the emphasis on ambassadorial potential. The winning farm should be capable of hosting farm walks, welcoming international visitors and showcasing the very best of Irish dairy farming to consumers, customers, and fellow farmers alike.
Winners of the 2025 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, the Ryan family of Lisheen, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, suppliers to Centenary Co-op, welcomed hundreds of visitors to their farm for a special open farm walk event in collaboration with Teagasc last month.
Over 700 guests travelled from across the country to hear first-hand from the Ryans on their experience as overall winners of the prestigious awards programme, along with contributions from the judges, and members of the Teagasc and Centenary advisory teams who explored best practice in action on a champion dairy farm.
The overall winner of the 2026 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony in Kilkenny in September.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Seán O’Brien, Communications Manager, Ornua | sean.p.obrien@ornua.com | +353 87 910 7740
Niamh Gunn, Farm Advocacy Manager, National Dairy Council | nmgunn@NDC.ie