Glanbia suppliers win National Quality Milk Awards for top quality milk

GII Agribusiness All Co-op Dairy

The country’s top prize for best quality milk has been awarded to Glanbia Ingredients Ireland suppliers Tom and Moya Power from Drumhills Farm, Cappagh, Co. Waterford.

Tom and Moya are the 5th generation of their family to farm at Drumhills farm where they have welcome support from Tom’s parents Jim and Brid. “One of the key elements I took from farming alongside my parents is their emphasis on attention to detail in every aspect of farming practices.” says Tom. “Another crucial element to our farm is our helping team. Although my father, Jim, has taken a step back over the years, he is still a machine to work with an encyclopaedia of knowledge alongside my mother Breda.”

The Power farm is located in the beautiful West Waterford valley with a backdrop to the Comeragh Mountains and the Knockmealdowns. Tom and his wife Moya have two young daughters, Ella is 20 months and the youngest, Chloe, is just seven weeks. Moya works off the farm in marketing at Flahavans.

The farm is 124 hectares with 65 hectares used for grazing. 200 cows were milked in 2015 with an average herd yield of 6,200 litres of milk supplied to GII.

The Power family were also awarded with an Excellence in Milk Quality award along with Ian and David Lamberton from Fahan, Co. Donegal, who supply milk to Aurivo Co-op and Arthur, Ann and Conor O’Leary from Killmallock, Co. Limerick who supply milk to Kerry Agribusiness.

Chief Executive of the National Dairy Council, Zoe Kavanagh, said:

“Drumhills farm is a great example of how farming families, all over the country, pull together, pool their strengths and produce great results. By taking pride in what they do, the Powers have built a sustainable, profitable and enjoyable family business. The NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards recognise the hard work and determination of Irish dairy farms all year round. Their relentless effort and attention to detail is what ensures that Irish Dairy as an industry continues to excel.”

Congratulations also to Glanbia Ingredients Ireland suppliers Jim & Derry Byrne, from Clonmore, Bree, Co. Wexford who received the award for Lowest Total Bacteria Count.

The awards were presented by ten time All-Ireland hurling champion Henry Shefflin. He commented on the consistently high standards achieved by the national finalists and winners, reflecting a tremendous commitment, a fine eye of detail and a keen interest in looking at ways to improve what they’re doing.

Commenting on the awards, Glanbia Group Chairman Henry Corbally said:

“Congratulations to our Glanbia milk suppliers who received rewards for top quality milk; Tom and Moya Power from Drumhills, Co. Waterford and Jim & Derry Byrne from Clonmore in Co. Wexford. Today is a fantastic day for the Irish dairy industry at the NDC & Kerrygold Milk Quality Awards. Here we have brought together seven of the country’s top quality milk suppliers and recognised them for their excellence in everything that they do. It all goes to show the pride that farmers have in what they do – it is more than just a job, it’s a way of life.”

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