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09

May, 2025

Aurivo Celebrates Excellence in Dairy Farming
at 18th Annual Milk Quality Awards

The 18th Annual Aurivo Milk Quality Awards took place on April 28th, celebrating the commitment, dedication, and excellence of Aurivo dairy farmers. The awards recognise not only quality and consistency, but also the innovation and heritage that define Aurivo’s supplier base. Many past winners have gone on to achieve national recognition, reflecting the exceptional calibre of farming within the Aurivo region.

Trench Dairy Ltd., Ballindine, Co. Mayo, Overall Winner and Highest Solids:

Donal Ronayne and Liam Trench of Trench Dairy Ltd in Ballindine, Co. Mayo were chosen as the overall winners of the Aurivo Milk Quality Awards and were also honoured with the Highest Solids Award.

Their success is driven by a strong foundation in genetics, focusing on optimising kilos of fat and protein, as well as top-quality nutrition through high-quality grass and silage. The duo has also prioritised simplicity in their farming system.

Speaking on the awards CEO of Aurivo Donal Tierney said “The incredible commitment and dedication of our farming families allows Aurivo to produce some of the best quality milk in the world. These awards are a celebration of the commitment, care, and passion our farmers put into their work every day. We’re proud to support and champion these farm families who uphold the highest standards in Irish dairy.

Also honoured for excellence within the industry were:

Leo Conlon, Easkey, Co. Sligo, Future Milk Sustainability Champion: 
A fourth generation farmer, Leo Conlon runs a crossbred herd made up of 25% Jersey and 75% Holstein. Leo was named Future Milk Sustainability Champion, a reflection of both his forward-thinking approach and Aurivo’s wider commitment to sustainable farming. His focus on genotyping, breeding, using bulls with a high EBI and DBI, and milk recording allows him to make data-led decisions that enhance animal health and milk quality. A strong advocate for sustainable practices, Leo has incorporated protected urea into his fertiliser programme and is actively engaged in Aurivo’s environmental events, such as its recent water quality initiative.

James Garrivan, Westport, Co. Mayo, Lowest SCC:
 James Garrivan’s success stems from his focus on young cows, selective breeding, and meticulous animal care. He uses sexed semen and avoids breeding cows with high cell counts, while also rearing all his cows from day one. Farming with his wife Teresa and their daughters, James runs a family-oriented operation. In addition to dairying, he is a renowned pedigree sheep breeder, showcasing his diverse agricultural expertise.

Oliver Conneely, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, Lowest TBC in Liquid Milk:
Oliver Conneely’s success in achieving the Lowest TBC in Liquid Milk can be attributed to his unwavering focus on cleanliness, consistency in wash routines, and strong family involvement. Oliver places great emphasis on maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and ensuring that every aspect of the milking process is meticulously carried out. His dedication to perfecting wash routines and using the right chemicals has resulted in consistently low TBC levels.

Stephen Fitzpatrick, St. Johnston, Co. Donegal, Most Improved SCC: 
A relative new entrant to dairying, Stephen Fitzpatrick has made impressive strides in improving milk quality. His success can be attributed to his data-driven approach, using milk recording and analytics to make informed decisions that drive continuous improvements. Stephen’s commitment to animal comfort, particularly through optimising cubicle design and care, has also been central to his rapid progress in reducing SCC. With support from his family, Stephen has built a strong foundation in the dairy industry.

Brian Murray, Four Mile House, Co. Roscommon, Best New Entrant: 
Transitioning from beef and sheep farming to dairying just two years ago, Brian’s success is driven by strong breeding, effective grassland management, and a focus on milk quality. With attention to detail in breeding and milk recording, Brian has made a smooth and successful start in the dairy industry, supported by his family.
Keith & Linda Watson, Keady, Co. Armagh, Best Northern Ireland Supplier: 
Keith and Linda Watson continue a farming legacy dating back to 1720. Their success is driven by strong breeding strategies. They focus on bulls with high solids and fertility, and consistent farm management. The Watsons run a family-oriented operation, with their children actively involved. Their exceptional farm performance and teamwork have earned them the Best Northern Ireland Supplier award, reflecting their dedication to high-quality farming.

Barry O’Farrell, Colehill, Co. Longford, Lowest TBC in Manufacturing Milk:
Barry O’Farrell has achieved outstanding standards in milk quality. His success is driven by a strong focus on hygiene, consistently maintaining rigorous wash routines, and ensuring a reliable hot water supply, all of which contribute to his industry-leading standards in TBC.

(Left to Right) Donal Tierney Aurivo CEO, Conor Galvin Ornua CEO, Kevin Harte Aurivo Dairy Advisor, Liam Trench, Karen Trench, Ayda Ronayne, Donal Ronayne, Chloe Ronayne, Eoin Godwin Aurivo Board Member, Raymond Barlow Aurivo Chairman 

(Top – left to right) Leo Conlon, Barry O’Farrell, Keith Watson, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Pat Murray (in lieu of Brian), (Bottom – left to right) James Garrivan, Liam Trench, Donal Ronayne, Oliver Conneely

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Aurivo House
Finisklin,
Sligo, F91 N968
Phone: 071 9186500
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Aurivo Agribusiness
Finisklin,
Sligo, F91 N968
Phone: 071 9160883
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Aurivo Dairy Ingredients
Ballaghaderreen,
Co. Roscommon, F45 WK33
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Finisklin, Sligo.
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Title Address Description
Aurivo House
Finisklin Business Park, Finisklin, Sligo, Ireland

Aurivo House
Finisklin,
Sligo.
Phone: 071 9186500
Fax: 071 9185239
Email:

Aurivo Dairy Ingredients
Aurivo Dairy Ingredients, Lung, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, Ireland

Aurivo Dairy Ingredients
Ballaghaderreen,
Co. Roscommon
Phone: 094 9860114
Fax: 094 9860157
Email:

Aurivo Animal Feeds
Unit 7A, The Mill Business Park, Dublin Rd, Kilcolman, Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon, Ireland

Aurivo Animal Feeds
Ballaghaderreen,
Co. Roscommon
Phone: 094 9860234
Fax: 094 9860238
Email:

Homeland, Ballaghaderreen
4 College Ct, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, F45 DR13, Ireland

Address: Homeland, Ballaghaderreen, Roscommon - F45 F684
Phone: 094 9860081
Fax: 094 9860373

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm

Homeland, Ballina
Crossmolina Rd, Ballina, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Crossmolina Road, Co. Mayo, F26 K288
Phone: 096 73588
Fax: 096 73589

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:45 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5 pm

Homeland, Castlebar
Glencar, Fortfield, Moneenbradagh, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Co. Mayo, F23 H283
Phone: 094 9022311
Fax: 094 9022910

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:45 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4:30 pm

Homeland Plus, Westport
5 Castlebar Rd, Carrowbeg, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Lodge Road, Westport, Co. Mayo, F28 XH51
Phone: 098 27535
Fax: 098 27543

Opening Hours:
Mon - Sat: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Homeland, Swinford
2 Fraunhill, Swineford, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Co. Mayo, F12 WF98
Phone: 094 9251360
Fax: 094 9251360

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 6 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5 pm

Homeland Agri, Achonry
Achonry, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Achonry, TUBBERCURRY CO. SLIGO F56 R275
Phone: 071 9184127

Opening Hours:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Thurs & Sat: 9 am to 1 pm
Lunch: 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm

Homeland Plus, Deep Water Quay, Sligo
Icos House, Finisklin Rd, Cartron, Sligo, Ireland

Address: Deep Water Quay, Sligo, F91 HR53
Phone: 071 9161879
Fax: 071 9150274

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 6 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Homeland Agri, Athleague
R362, Co. Roscommon, Ireland

Address: Co. Roscommon, F42 WY64
Phone: 090 6663322
Fax: 090 6663580

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 6 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm
Lunch: 1 pm - 2 pm

Homeland Agri, Castlerea
Longford House, Longford, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, Ireland

Address: Co. Roscommon, F45 A403
Phone: 094 9620162
Fax: 094 9620978

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm
Lunch: 1 pm to 2 pm

Homeland, Rathscanlon
R294, Rathscanlan, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, F91 EP83
Phone: 071 9185571

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4:30 pm

Homeland Agri, Riverstown
Cuiltylough, Riverstown, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Co. Sligo, F52 W957
Phone: 071 9165103
Fax: 071 9165334

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 1 pm
Lunch: 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm

Homeland Agri, Ballymote
R293, Keenaghan, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Co. Sligo, F56 XW26
Phone: 071 9183452
Fax: 071 9183023

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Lunch: 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm

Homeland Agri, Skreen
N59, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Co. Sligo, F91 RP44
Phone: 071 9166711
Fax: 071 9166796

Opening Hours:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4:45 pm, Closed: Wed

Homeland, Claremorris
2 Clareville, Clare, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Co. Mayo, F12 XW26
Phone: 094 9371292
Fax: 094 9371292

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5 pm

Homeland, Ballinrobe
Abbey View, Abbey Rd, Friarsquarter West, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Co. Mayo, F31 VK49
Phone: 094 9541134
Fax: 094 9520015

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5 pm

Homeland Agri, Kinlough
2 Spa Brae, Kinlough, Co. Leitrim, Ireland

Address: Co. Leitrim, F91 RH22
Phone: 071 9841413

Opening Hours:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Closed Thurs
Lunch: 1 pm - 2 pm

Homeland Agri, Kilbarron
Nagin House, Creevy, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Address: Cashelard, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, F94 YK33
Phone: 071 9851296
Fax: 071 9852448

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:15 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm
Lunch: 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm

Homeland Agri, Athlone
Moydrum Rd, Blyry Upper, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland

Address: Moydrum Business Park, Junction 9, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 FY05
Phone: 090 6465652

Opening Hours:
Mon - Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Lunch: 1 pm - 1:45 pm, no lunch Saturday

Homeland Agri, Gurteen
R293, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Co. Sligo, F56 E956
Phone: 071 9182007
Fax: 071 9182054

Opening Hours:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Thurs/Sat: 9 am to 1 pm
Lunch: 1 pm to 2 pm

Homeland Agri, Killala
Quay Rd, Townplots East, Co. Mayo, Ireland

 

Address: The Quay, Killala, F26 X363
Phone: 096 32044
Fax: 096 32315

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5 pm

Homeland Agri, Boyle
Station Rd, Termon, Co. Roscommon, Ireland

Address: Co. Roscommon, F52 KN28
Phone: 071 9662427

Opening Hours:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Wed/Sat: 9 am to 1 pm
Lunch: 1 pm to 2 pm

Homeland, Ballyhaunis
N83, Kilmannin, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Co. Mayo, F35 Y429
Phone: 094 9630166
Fax: 094 9630274

Opening Hours:
Mon to Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Homeland Agri, Easkey
R297, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Castletown, Easkey, Co. Sligo, F26 D681
Phone: 096 49043

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed, Thurs, Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Tues: Closed, Sat: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Lunch: 1 pm to 2 pm, open Saturday

Homeland Agri, Kiltoghert
R299, Co. Leitrim, Ireland

Address: Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, N41 V677
Phone: 071 9622113
Fax: 071 9622249

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm
Lunch: 1 pm - 2 pm

Homeland, Mohill
1 Hyde St, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, N41 V6T4, Ireland

Address: Co. Leitrim, N41 VP77
Phone: 071 9631194
Fax: 071 9632057

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:45 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Homeland, Letterkenny
Middle Rd, Ballyboe Lisnenan, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Address: Middle Road, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Phone: 074 9113314
Fax: 074 9124823

Opening Hours:
Mon to Sat: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Homeland, Lifford
Letterkenny Rd, Lifford, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Address: Lifford, Co. Donegal, F93 TC97
Phone: 074 9141558
Fax: 074 9141961

Opening Hours:
Mon to Sat: 9 am to 5 pm
Lunch: 1 pm - 1:30 pm

Homeland Agri, Creeslough
Sue's Cottage, Rosscad, Creeslough, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Address: Creeslough, Co. Donegal, F92 YH22
Phone: 074 9138078
Fax: 074 9138079

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am - 5:30 pm, Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
Lunch: 1 pm - 2 pm

Homeland Agri, Ardara
Corner House, The Diamond, Drumbaran, Ardara, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Address: Ardara, Co. Donegal, F94 FT59
Phone: 074 9541888
Fax: 074 9537745

Opening Hours:
Tues to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5 pm. Closed Monday
Lunch: 1 pm - 2 pm

Homeland Agri, Omagh
10 Dromore Rd Retail Park, Omagh BT78 1RE, UK

Address: Dromore Road, Co. Tyrone
Phone: 0044 288224418

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9 am - 5:30 pm, Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm, Sunday: Closed
Lunch: 1 pm - 1:45 pm

Homeland, Kerrykeel
R246, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Address:  Kerrykeel, Co. Donegal, F92 F766
Phone: 074 9150179
Fax: 074 9150193

Opening Hours:
Mon to Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Lunch: 1 pm - 2 pm

Homeland Agri, Longford
Cartrongeeragh Business Park, Athlone Road, Cartronageeragh, Co. Longford, Ireland

Address: Athlone Road, Longford
Tel: 043 3336286

Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9 am - 5:45 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm

Homeland Belmullet
Áras Mhaoilchiaraín, Chapel St, Belmullet, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Belmullet, Co. Mayo, F26 Y6P5
Tel: 097 81109

Opening Hours:
Mon to Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm

Homeland Agri Ballinfull
1, Carrigeens, Ballinfull, Co. Sligo, F91 K5D7, Ireland

Address: Ballinfull, Co. Sligo, F91 CR29
Phone: 071 9163154

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm
Lunch: 1 pm to 2 pm

Aurivo Livestock Mart Ballymote
Laburnum Lodge, Fairgreen Rd, Rathnakelliga, Ballymote, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Manager: Stephen Hannon
Tel: 0818 301 401
Bookings: Pre Booking Monday 9.30 am – 1.00 pm for Thursday Sale

Aurivo Livestock Mart Ballinrobe
Abbey St, Friarsquarter West, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Manager: Tom Mc Guire
Tel: 094 95 41140
Bookings: Pre Booking Friday 9.30 am – 1.00 pm for Wednesday Sale

Aurivo Livestock Mart Balla
N60, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Manager: Michael Murphy
Tel: 0818 301 401
Bookings: Pre Booking Wednesday for Sat Sale 9.30 am – 11.00 am for Bullocks/Heifers
11.00 am – 1.00 pm for all Cows
Pre Booking Thursday for Weanling Sale 9.30am – 1pm

Aurivo Livestock Mart Mohill
1 Cappagh, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Ireland

Manager: Stephen Hannon
Tel: 0818 301 401
Bookings: Pre Booking Tuesday 9.30 am – 1.00 pm for Saturday Sale