
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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