CellCheck Milking for Quality Awards
The CellCheck Milking For Quality Awards ceremony was held in the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny on Thursday, 29 November. The Award is given to the 500 milk suppliers nationally with the lowest weighted annual average somatic cell count (SCC) for the previous year’s supply.
It is an initiative to recognise and reward the excellence of Irish farmers who are currently achieving high standards of udder health on their farm. Since the inception of the Awards, the maximum SCC of award recipients has fallen each year from 103,000 cells/mL in 2014 to 72,000 cells/mL in 2017.
Top Quality SuppliersOver 200 Glanbia Ireland milk suppliers were shortlisted for this year’s awards with a considerable number receiving an award for the second and third time.
Pictured here on the day with Sean Molloy and Martin Keane were two Glanbia Ireland Suppliers who were recognised for exceptional SCC in their volume categories.
Edmund and Maureen Walsh in Slieveue (Glanbia supplier category less than 500,000) and also Jim and Derry Byrne Bree Wexford (volume >500,000 litres).
Somatic Cell CountSCC values continue to improve when compared to historical data.
Figures in 2017 were excellent until late October, when effects from Storm Ophelia significantly impacted a number of suppliers.
2018 has been a challenging year for SCC. Late Spring proved difficult due to stressed animals, extended housing and poor forage.
The CellCheck Milking For Quality Awards ceremony was sponsored by FBD Insurance and supported by Ornua.
First Published 4 December 2018