Mayo farm family win at Quality Milk Awards

ORNUA and the National Dairy Council have announced the Gordon family from Crossmolina - supplying Aurivo Co-op - as the winner of the Best Protein & Butterfat Percentage Award at the 2023 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

The Gordons were announced as category winners of the prestigious awards at a ceremony held in Ballymaloe House in Co. Cork, where 14 farming families from seven counties, representing 14 dairy co-operatives, were acknowledged for excellence in dairy farming and milk production.

Michael Gordon runs the family farm at Lowvalley, Crossmolina, along wife Ita, daughters Emily, Ciara and Aoife and son Kevin.

Their farming journey began in 1998, and in 2018, the Gordons transitioned from beef to dairying. Today, they milk a herd of 75 cows.

Following nomination from their respective co-operative, each finalist participated in an intensive judging process examining a broad range of criteria, including environmental management, animal health and welfare, farm infrastructure and hygiene, soil and grassland management and technical performance, among other core indicators.

The Macnamara family from Hospital, Co. Limerick, were crowned overall winners.

Commenting on the awards, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue said: “The NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards recognise the exceptionally high standards in dairy farming practice that Irish farming families exhibit every day across the country. My sincere congratulations go to the 2023 overall winner, the Macnamara family, on their success in reaching the pinnacle of this year’s programme.

“To be recognised by your own co-operative as a nominee is in itself a fantastic achievement, so all of the 14 finalists can be immensely proud of this recognition, and I wish them all continued success.”