Fred Allen, Dale Farm Chair and Cormac McKervey, Head of Agriculture, Ulster Bank pictured with Samuel Kennedy and family
Doagh farmer Samuel Kennedy was named Overall Winner at Dale Farm’s annual Milk Quality Awards at this year’s Balmoral Show.
Sponsored by Ulster Bank, the awards took place at the Dale Farm Marquee and recognised farmers across three categories for impressive results in enhancing milk quality with a specific focus on hygiene and somatic cell count levels.
Samuel who runs a 60-cow herd averaging over 9,000 litres per cow outside Doagh, Co. Antrim, also took home the prize for the ‘Under 1 million litres’ category.
Samuel has incorporated a strict parlour and cow house routine which together have had a very positive impact on the weighted average somatic cell count, allowing him to achieve the exceptional result of 67 last year with a weighted average bactocount of 9. He has received the top band for bactocount 10 out of the past 12 months and top band somatic cell count in 11 out of the past 12 months.
Speaking at the awards, Dale Farm Chair Fred Allen said:
“The Dale Farm Milk Quality Awards are a highlight of the Balmoral Show for us, as we celebrate the positive work our members are doing on farm.
“Having a sustainable supply of high-quality milk is key to the success of our award winning portfolio of dairy products. That quality is a result of the hard work of our members, and this year’s winners and runners up demonstrate a determination to achieve the very best from their herds.
“On behalf of Dale Farm I want to offer my congratulations to all – with a special mention to our overall winner Samuel Kennedy of Doagh, who has shown exceptional attention to detail in all aspects of the business resulting in a highly efficient and sustainable system.”
Cormac McKervey, Head of Agriculture, Ulster Bank, sponsors of the awards added:
“We have been longstanding sponsors of Dale Farm’s awards at Balmoral and are delighted to once again support the event. The awards reflect the quality of milk throughout Dale Farm’s network of dairy farmers, and we are again very impressed by the commitment to quality and attention to detail displayed.
"It’s the small, continuous improvements in management that, when combined, can lift dairy performance from good to excellent. My congratulations to all this year’s finalists.”