Friday, 4 December 2020. Tadhg Hurley, farming in Barleyfield, Kilbrittain, was the overall winner of the 16th Carbery Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards. Tadhg is a member of Barryroe Coop. With this years’ Awards taking place virtually, the 16 nominated farmers and their families tuned in for an online event, broadcast by a small Carbery team from Virtual Event Studios in Cork.
Tadhg is farming on land that his grandfather, Daniel, bought in 1936 and his father Finbarr still milks with him. Tadhg’s family also includes his wife, Helena and their sons TJ (4) and Charlie (1). On 90 acres, he has a herd of 74 cows, producing an average of 460kg milk solids per cow.

Jason Hawkins, Carbery CEO, said of the event “Every year I am impressed by the standard of the finalists in the Milk Quality Awards, and this year is no exception. I think we have to acknowledge that this has been a particularly challenging year for everyone, including famers. For our nominees to have achieved excellence in these circumstances is something to be very proud of. Carbery are leaders in quality and sustainability and it is critical that we selfishly protect this reputation. Our farmers, and the standard of milk they produce, are central to that success, and celebrating the farmers who achieve these standards are what the Awards are all about.”

Carbery Group Chairman, TJ Sullivan added “As a farmer myself, I know first-hand the enjoyment and satisfaction that comes from farming, but also the challenges that it can bring. A farmer’s life can be a lonely one, and for all the effort put into farming, often no one else sees the hard work and the long hours. This is why for me, the Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards are one of the most important things that Carbery does.”

He continued “These Awards and nominees are about celebrating the best of farming, and of what dairy farming can be. The Awards highlight that farmers are progressive and adaptable, that they prioritise quality and food safety, that they think about the future and their impact on it. They also highlight that Irish farms are family farms, a team effort, supported by and supporting their local communities. Family farms keep the lights on, and especially this year, in our rural schools, villages and businesses.”

The judges for this year’s competition commended every entrant for their commitment to quality, hygiene and good practices, noting the particularly high standard this year. Milk quality, sustainability, healthy cows, hygienic facilities and excellent farming practices are essential to Carbery’s quality of raw material supply which leads to a superior end product. Owned by farming families, Carbery Group processed 567 million litres of milk in 2019, to produce award-winning cheeses and food ingredients in Ballineen, which were sold in over 50 international markets across the world.

There were three finalists from each West Cork Coop (Bandon, Barryroe, Lisavaird and Drinagh) for the Quality Award, as well as a Sustainability winner from each Coop. The full list of nominees and winners from last night is below. Carbery would like to congratulate every one of the nominees and in particular the winners from each Coop.

Bandon Co-op
Kieran Cotter, Ardcloyne, Kinsale – winner
Scott Kingston, Laragh, Bandon
Evan Shorten, Bengour East, Newcestown
John O’Donoghue, Peafield, Ballinadee – Sustainability winner

Barryroe Co-op
Tadgh Hurley, Barleyfield, Kilbrittain – winner
Jeremiah and Gerard Moloney, Clonbouig, Kilbrittain
James Sexton, Carrahevern, Lislevane
Eoin Hayes, Lispatrick, Old Head – Sustainability winner

Drinagh Co-op
William Kingston, Tooreen, Skibbereen
John O’Regan, Kilbronogue, Schull – winner
Anthony O’Shea, Gouree Beg, Bantry
Tim O’Mahony, Cooladreen, Leap – Sustainability winner

Lisavaird Co-op
Gerard Collins, Castleventry, Clonakilty
James McCarthy, Carrigfada, Rosscarbery – winner
Tim O’Leary, Lisselane, Clonakilty
Caroline Walsh, Crohane, Ballinascarthy – Sustainability winner
ENDS

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