Major award for Moate farm

Moate farmers David and Kathleen Boland have picked up a major award at the National Quality Milk Awards 2017.

They picked up a national category award – All Year-Round Winner – at the awards ceremony in Dublin yesterday.

They were nominated by Aurivo Co-op. David and Kathleen are the second generation to farm their land in Moate, Co Westmeath. They have four children; Niall, Fiona, Damian and Colin. Niall and Colin are both very involved in the farm helping out whenever they can. David took over from his father Anthony is 1980 and won the title of Aurivo Milk Supplier of the Year in 2016.

David and his family take great pride in what they do and are determined to to produce a top-quality product.

He said: “I am a great believer in attention to detail and I believe if we put in the work we will get the quality product.”

The country's top prize for best quality milk went to John and Maria Walsh from Cahir, Co. Tipperary, who supply their milk to Dairygold Co-op.

The winners were announced in Dublin yesterday with presentations to 14 of Ireland’s top dairy farms by Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed.

The farmers who are nominated for the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards are representing milk pools of hundreds or sometimes even thousands of dairy farmers in their own co-ops. 

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said “Irish farming is more than just a business; it is a way of life. Irish farmers learn their craft from their parents and grandparents before them. It is no accident that Irish dairy products are regarded as the best in the world. Irish farmers and their family’s commitment to delivering world class quality milk, day in day out, coupled with our grass based farming systems has enabled us to build successful markets for dairy products around the world.”