Mayo farm honoured at Quality Milk Awards

THE Trench/Ronayne Farm, from Claremorris, has won the Lowest Carbon Footprint Award at the 2025 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

The prestigious annual awards programme, now in its 16th year, saw 12 farming families from seven counties and 12 dairy co-operatives celebrated for excellence in milk production and sustainable dairying at a ceremony hosted at Lyrath Estate Hotel, Co. Kilkenny.

Following their nomination by Aurivo Co-op, the Trench and Ronayne families took part in a comprehensive judging process that evaluated a range of the most important aspects of modern dairy farming - environmental sustainability, animal health and welfare, farm infrastructure, hygiene standards, soil and grassland management, farm advocacy and technical performance.

Donal and Liam began milking in 2021 after converting Liam’s suckler-to-beef holding into a modern dairy unit. Their 168-cow herd now produces 551kg of milk solids per cow annually, with butterfat at 5.1% and protein at 3.94%, supplying Aurivo Co-Operative.

Focused on genetics, herd health, nutrition, and performance, the partners also prioritise water quality through fencing, riparian margins, and clover integration, with slurry applied via trailing shoe.

Emma Walls, CEO, National Dairy Council, said Ireland’s global reputation is built on the commitment and sustainability practices of Irish dairy farmers setting the benchmark for nutritious, grass-based milk production. The dedication shown by finalists, category winners and overall winners reaffirms Ireland’s pride in its dairy farming families, processors and advisors.