Offaly dairy farmer wins major award for his 'outstanding commitment'

Offaly dairy farmer, Ivan Thomas, from Rahan, has won the Lakeland Dairies Sustainability Award for outstanding commitment to sustainable milk production and environmental and economic sustainability.

The Milk Quality Awards are a recognition of the achievements of Lakeland Dairies’ milk suppliers who are committed to quality in all aspects of their milk production. Winning a milk quality award is a truly excellent achievement.

Derek Ray, Moate, Co. Westmeath was declared winner of the Republic of Ireland Best New Entrant Category.

The winners emerged from among 3,200 farm families across 17 counties who produce milk for the 2bn litres Lakeland Dairies milk pool.

The awards were presented by Lakeland Dairies’ Chairman Niall Matthews and Group Chief Executive Colin Kelly at a special event in Corick House Hotel, Clogher, Co. Tyrone, together with Edwin Poots MLA, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Lakeland Dairies Supreme Milk Quality Champions:

The Supreme Champions of the Lakeland Dairies Milk Quality Awards are Brian, Gene and Gene (jnr) McGinnity, who farm in partnership at Scotstown, Co. Monaghan, winning the top prize for the exceptionally high quality of milk produced on their farm throughout the past year.

The McGinnitys also took home the <500,000 litre producer category award.

In addition to the Supreme Champion, Lakeland Dairies also announced winners in several categories of the Milk Quality Awards.

Republic of Ireland

>500,000 Litre Category Winners

Eoin Corrigan, Trim, Co. Meath won the >500,000 litre producer category award in the Republic of Ireland.

The highly commended runners-up in the >500,000 litre producer category was Oisin and Eamon Gallen, Ramelton, Co. Donegal

<500,000 Litre Category Winners

Brian & Gene and Gene (jnr) McGinnity, Scotstown, Co. Monaghan won the <500,000 litre producer category, and were declared Supreme Champions.

Sean Kiernan, Kilcogy, Co. Longford was the highly commended runner-up in the <500,000 producer category.

Northern Ireland

>1m Litre Category Winners

Stephen and Mark Montgomery, Drumahoe, Co. Derry/Londonderry, won the >1m litre milk producer category in Northern Ireland

Edwin and Gary Bryson, Craigavon, Co. Armagh were the highly commended runners-up in the >1m litre producer category of the awards in Northern Ireland.

<1m Litre Category Winners

Sean and Ciaran Mc Naughton, Ballymena, Co. Antrim won the <1m litre producer category in Northern Ireland.

Mark Rea, Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone was the highly commended runner-up in the <1m litre producer category in Northern Ireland.

Best New Entrants

Derek Ray, Moate, Co. Westmeath was declared winner of the Republic of Ireland Best New Entrant Category.

Mark Lewis, Portadown, Co. Armagh won the Northern Ireland Best New Entrant Category, for the high quality of milk he supplies to Lakeland Dairies.

Lakeland Dairies Young Farmer Award

Matthew Adams, Strangford, Co. Down won the inaugural Lakeland Dairies Young Farmer Award. The award is aimed at recognising the activity and involvement of young farmers in bringing fresh and new ideas to the family farm. The winner receives a bursary to take part in an agricultural study tour of their choice before the end of 2025.

Lakeland Dairies Chairman, Niall Matthews, paid tribute to the award winners: "The milk quality awards are a source of great pride, focusing on excellence in dairy farming. The markets we serve are demand-driven, with numerous supply channels available to customers and consumers. Every time dairy farmers step into the parlour, they are putting to use a lifetime of experience, knowledge, and dedication. Milk quality is the backbone of everything we do. It ensures that our products end up in the best markets in the world, maintaining our reputation and supporting our livelihoods.

“The milk we collect from pasture-fed herds on family-owned farms is the high-quality raw material that has established our reputation as a leading global dairy provider. This status will continue based on the excellent achievements of our 3,200 farm families."

Lakeland Dairies Group CEO Colin Kelly said: "Lakeland Dairies has a clear strategy in place to pursue value-added international growth opportunities while optimising our operations and flexibility to compete successfully on a global stage.

“Through their commitment to quality and sustainability, Lakeland Dairies’ milk producers are well positioned to meet global dairy demand, underpinned by the overall efficiency of our production and processing systems. The quality of our dairy farmers and the milk they supply is world-class.

“This forms the foundation for further progress as a farmer-owned co-operative, exporting 240 different dairy products and food ingredients to customers in 100 countries worldwide."