Brian, Gene (snr) and Gene (jnr) McGinnity, from Scotstown, Co. Monaghan, won the top accolade for the exceptionally high quality of milk produced on their farm throughout the past year. The McGinnitys also took home the <500,000L producer category award.
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.
The awards were presented by Lakeland Dairies’ chair, 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.
The winners emerged from among 3,200 farm families across 17 counties who produce milk for the two-billion litre Lakeland Dairies milk pool.
Paying tribute to the award winners, the CEO said: "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 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."