Two Mayo dairy farmers have been rewarded for outstanding achievement in the 2008 Connacht Gold Co-op Milk Quality Awards.
The award winners, Michael Cleary from Brize, Claremorris, and Austin Lyons from Askelone, Louisburg, were presented with their prestigious awards at a presentation ceremony in Ballaghadereen last week. The awards are sponsored by Progressive Genetics.
Michael Cleary took the award for the greatest improvement in milk solids – fat and protein – during 2008, while Austin Lyons was presented with the award for the highest standards in animal health.
Congratulating the two winners, Connacht Gold chief executive, Aaron Forde, said the annual awards are aimed at recognising excellence across all areas of milk production.
“Michael Cleary and Austin Lyons epitomise the enormous improvements made by Connacht Gold suppliers in recent years in milk quality and composition. In 2008 alone, the number of our suppliers receiving bonuses for top quality has increased by 90 per cent.
“The improvement is a reflection of the success of the new milk price system introduced by the co-op and our intensive campaign on quality. I want to commend farmers on their magnificent response,” he said.
Mr Forde said a rigid focus on quality is essential in enabling Connacht Gold to expand its range of premium products for the home and export markets, enabling the co-op to further improve efficiencies and improve returns to dairy farmers.
