The Kennedys supply milk to Dairygold Co-op and excelled through a comprehensive judging process that evaluated a range of the most important aspects of modern dairy farming. These topics included environmental sustainability; animal health and welfare; farm infrastructure; hygiene standards; soil and grassland management; and technical performance among other important factors.
Aidan and Derval Kennedy along with their children, Nickolas and Galina, and the farm are opening their farm for milk producers and others in the sector to visit and see the dairy herd and how the farm is managed. With a herd of 390 cows milked through a state-of-the-art 50-unit rotary parlour, the Kennedy operation is still very family focused with all of the family involved along with four farm staff who have 50 plus years’ experience on the farm between them.
The farm walk is organised jointly by Teagasc, Dairygold Co-op, National Dairy Council and Ornua.
Dairygold chair, Pat Clancy said: “We are immensely proud of Aidan and Derval’s achievements. Their ability to produce exceptional-quality milk while caring for their land, animals, and people reflects the very best of Irish dairy farming.”
Donal Mullane, Teagasc regional advisory manager in Tipperary said: “The Kennedys are doing an excellent job producing high quality milk in a sustainable way and this is a great opportunity for all farmers to visit the farm and see the excellent practices being adopted on this farm. It’s really worth attending this farm walk.”
Emma Walls, CEO, National Dairy Council added: “Ireland’s 17,000 family-run dairy farms are making immense efforts to farm more sustainably, while maintaining excellent quality standards. The farm walk is a great way for farmers to get involved and see firsthand the impact innovation can have on milk quality and on farm sustainability.”