Antrim dairy farmer named Supreme Champion of Lakeland awards

A dairy farming household in Co. Antrim has been introduced as Supreme Champions of the Lakeland Dairies Milk High quality Awards.

The winner is Stephen Cargill Templepatrick, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim, who claimed the accolade for the exceptionally prime quality of milk produced on his farm all through the previous yr.

Cargill additionally took dwelling the >1 million litre producer class award in Northern Eire.

The Milk High quality Awards are public recognition of the achievements of Lakeland Dairies’ milk suppliers, dedicated to high quality in all elements of their milk manufacturing.

The winners emerged from amongst 3,200 farm households throughout 16 counties who produce milk for the 2 billion litres Lakeland Dairies milk pool.

The awards have been introduced by Minister for Social Safety, Rural and Neighborhood Affairs, Heather Humphreys, with Lakeland Dairies chairman Niall Matthews and group chief govt, Colin Kelly at a particular occasion as we speak (Monday, June 19).

Talking on the awards, Minister Heather Humphreys mentioned: “It’s a wonderful achievement to be acknowledged by your personal cooperative for producing superior high quality milk.

“That sort of high quality doesn’t simply occur in a single day. It’s a permanent dedication, involving a lifetime’s dedication to unmatched requirements every time you stroll the fields, examine in your herd or enter the milking parlour.

“I specific my admiration for Lakeland Dairies’ farming households. They type the inspiration of a formidable cross-border operation, making a outstanding influence each regionally and internationally.

“I’m additionally more than happy to notice that sustainability is a driving power for Lakeland Dairies and a platform for his or her ongoing progress and success via the manufacturing of world-class meals,” Minister Humphreys added.

Lakeland Dairies Milk High quality Awards

Along with the Supreme Champion, Lakeland Dairies additionally introduced winners within the different classes of the Milk High quality Awards.

>500,000L class winners

• Peter and Enda Duffy, Cornahoe, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan received the >500,000L producer class award within the Republic of Eire;
• The extremely counseled runner-up within the >500,000L producer class was Kieran Duffy, Ballinahown, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

<500,000L class winners

• Seamus McNally, Glaslough, Co. Monaghan was the winner of the <500,000L producer class;
• Thomas and Colm Mallon Lislum, Kenagh, Co. Longford have been the extremely counseled runners-up within the <500,000L producer class.

Sustainability award winners

Killian Brennan of CDR Farms, Kilcogy Higher, Co. Longford received the Lakeland Dairies Sustainability Award for excellent dedication to sustainable milk manufacturing and environmental and financial sustainability.

Finest New Entrants

Lakeland Dairies has welcomed over 400 new milk producers to the cooperative lately.

• Dairy farmers Laurence Dorian and Patrick Lynch Mullins Cross, Dunleer, Co. Louth, have been declared winners of the Republic of Eire Finest New Entrant class;
• Gary Agnew, Kingstown, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh received the Northern Eire Finest New Entrant class, for his or her prime quality of milk equipped to Lakeland Dairies.

Northern Eire

>1 million litre class winners

• Stephen Cargill Templepatrick, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim received the >1 million litre milk producer class in Northern Eire, and was additionally declared Lakeland Dairies’ Supreme Milk High quality Champion;
• Smyth McCann, Bangor, Co. Down was the extremely counseled runner-up within the >1 million litre producer class of the awards in Northern Eire.

<1 million litre class winners

• Derick and Corridor Donnell, Ballymagorry, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, received the <1 million litre producer class in Northern Eire;
• Michael Quinn, 48 Newry Highway, Mullaghbane, Newry, Co. Down was the extremely counseled runner-up within the <1 million litre producer class in Northern Eire.

Lakeland Dairies chairman, Niall Matthews paid tribute to the award winners: “As dairy farmers, we produce the 2 billion litres of nutritious milk that function the inspiration for a really wide selection of Lakeland dairy merchandise loved by customers throughout the globe.

“Dairy farming is a career that spans generations, offering sustenance for households, fuelling rural economies, and taking part in a vital position in environmental sustainability.

“We’re happy with the very prime quality of our milk pool. I lengthen my congratulations to all of our devoted dairy farmers for his or her commendable achievements and their invaluable, ongoing contribution to our farmer-owned dairy cooperative.”

Lakeland Dairies Group CEO Colin Kelly added: “Excellence and sustainability are on the centre of our operation and these rules encourage the arrogance that our clients and customers have in us.

“As the worldwide inhabitants grows, there’s an growing reliance on the reliability and integrity of the worldwide meals provide chain, from the pastures to the plate.

“Dairy, as a flexible and nutrient-rich meals, holds a key position in addressing this rising demand. Our distinctive milk producers, with their dedication to high quality, will undoubtedly stay on the forefront of all these developments,” he mentioned.

Charity help

In the meantime, Lakeland Dairies has donated £5,000 to Air Ambulance Northern Eire (NI), the charity behind the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS).  

The cheque for £5,000 was introduced to Air Ambulance NI by Niall Matthews, chair of Lakeland Dairies and Keith Agnew, vice chair.

Commenting on the donation, Matthews mentioned: “We realise how important a service the air ambulance is for the entire group and hope that this donation will make a distinction to a future affected person.”