Spanning a region from the rugged landscapes of Donegal to the fertile fields of Galway and across into the Midlands, our network of over 950 family farms is built on generations of knowledge, care, and commitment to excellence.

Overall Winner
Highest Solids
Trench Dairy Ltd.
Claremorris, Co. Mayo

Trench Dairy Ltd., awarded Highest Solids & Overall Winner, operates on 228 acres with 175 crossbreed cows. The farm is a joint partnership between Donal Ronayne and his uncle Liam Trench. They began converting Liam’s suckler and beef farm to dairy in 2019 and started milking in 2021. Donal grew up on a dry stock suckler and sheep farm and decided to pursue a course in dairy-business at UCD. He developed a love for dairying while helping a neighbor with relief milking and worked on multiple farms before partnering with Liam.

Donal’s brother Thomás and Liam’s children Joe, Hannah, and Aaron help out, with relief milkers assisting throughout the year. Their success and award are attributed to a strong focus on genetics, emphasising kilos of fat and protein, high-quality grass and silage, and close monitoring of cow body condition. They keep their system simple, with heifer rearing ground close to the milking platform and a silage block nearby. Donal enjoys the flexibility dairying offers, especially with the help of relief milkers and seasonal workers. Outside of farming, Donal and his wife Chloe welcomed their daughter Aida in 2023. He also plays Gaelic football and handball and stays involved with the local GAA and LGFA club.

Best New Entrant
Brian Murray
Four Mile House, Co. Roscommon

Brian Murray, awarded Best New Entrant, is milking 120 Friesian Cross cows on his 185-acre farm. Brian is the third generation to run the farm, which has been in the family for over 60 years. This is his second year in dairying, having taken over from his father who previously focused on sheep and beef farming.

Brian’s father Pat helps out a lot around the farm, and his brothers Colm and Paul assist when they can. Brian attributes his success and the award to buying good stock at the start and paying a lot of attention to bull selection for breeding, reseeding, and grass management, milk recording, maintaining high solids, and keeping TBC low through consistent and thorough washing. He enjoys the routine of dairy farming, finding it busy yet rewarding, and appreciates being his own boss. Brian considers it both his job and hobby. He values working with Aurivo, finding them a great resource and always available when needed.

Best TBC Liquid Milk 2024
Oliver Conneely
Castlerea, Co. Roscommon

Oliver Conneely, awarded Lowest TBC Liquid Milk, manages a 120-acre farm, a mix of rented and owned land, with 75-80 Holstein cows. The farm has been in the family since 1975, with Oliver being the second generation to run it. Originally his great aunt and uncle’s, Oliver’s father moved to the area and ran the farm as a suckler and sheep farm. In 1996, Oliver took over and transitioned to dairying, expanding the farm through buying and renting neighboring land.

Oliver receives great help from his mother Maureen, his wife Lorraine, his children Michael and Kate, his brother Shane, and his nephew Aaron. He attributes his success and this award to consistent wash routines, ensuring the milking machine self-washes properly, and not skimping on cleaning products. Attention to detail and consistency are key. Oliver enjoys being his own boss and working on his own farm, which allows for more family time and extra hands to help. Outside of farming, he follows Gaelic football and soccer, and his kids play both. He appreciates Aurivo’s support, with someone always available for advice and supply top-class Nutrias feeds for the cows.

Best Northern Ireland Supplier 2024
Keith Watson
Armagh, Co. Armagh

Keith and Linda Watson, awarded for their outstanding farming achievements, run a 200-acre farm with 120 Holstein cows. The farm has been in the family since 1720, with milking operations starting in 2012. Keith has been farming for over 30 years, and the farm is a family affair with help from their children Alfie (17), Sarah (19), and Harry (14).

Their success is attributed to a strong focus on breeding, selecting the correct bulls for solids and fertility, and leveraging knowledge from other farmers and advisors. They emphasise doing all the simple things correctly. Keith enjoys being his own boss, making decisions, and working alongside nature and the environment. He takes pride in being able to handle all aspects of the farm work, from foot pairing to silage and slurry. Outside of farming, Keith and Linda enjoy spending time with family and friends. They enjoy working with Aurivo, valuing the co-op’s family-like treatment, personal contact, and the availability of help and advice when needed.

Best TBC Manufacturing Milk 2024
Barry O’Farrell
Colehill, Co. Longford

Barry O’Farrell, awarded Best TBC Manufacturing, is the third generation to run the 250-acre farm with 125 crossbred high EBI cows. After finishing college, he spent a year in New Zealand before returning home in 2016 and starting milking in 2017. Barry receives help from his mother Eileen and his two sisters Deirdre and Córa, who assist with feeding calves. He also has a part-time worker, Pauric, who helps out on days off and during holidays while attending college. Barry attributes his success and this award to the importance of adequate hot water, a good wash routine, and ensuring enough chemical is used.

He enjoys working for himself and being his own boss, feeling that you truly get out what you put into it. Outside of farming, Barry plays GAA football with his club Carrickedmond and has represented County Longford at the senior level in the past. He enjoys working with Aurivo, noting that everything runs smoothly and there is always someone available to help if any issues arise.

Lowest SCC 2024
James Garrivan
Westport, Co. Mayo

James Garrivan, awarded Lowest SCC, milks 30 Holstein cows on an 80-acre farm. His father came home from America in 1966, and the family started dairying in 1980. James has been farming as long as he can remember and took over the farm in 1990. The farm is mainly run by James and his wife Teresa, with their daughters Rachel and Lorraine helping out when they can.

James attributes his success and this award to several factors: young cows, which have less chance of mastitis and are generally healthier; high importance on breeding, using sexed semen and not breeding cows with high cell counts; rearing all of the cows themselves to ensure great care from day one; and changing from ordinary clusters to light clusters. James enjoys farming because it is part of his heritage and rewarding to see his own stock being reared from calves. Outside of dairying, they are kept busy with their flock of over 100 ewes, and they travel to most of the large agri shows around the country with their pedigree sheep.

Most Improved SCC 2024
Stephen Fitzpatrick
St. Johnston, Co. Donegal

Stephen Fitzpatrick, awarded Most Improved SCC, farms on 100-acres, with an additional 40 acres for silage and 20 for rearing heifers with a herd of 94 Holstein Friesian crossbreed cows. The farm was originally his uncle’s, but Stephen has long-term leased it since 2021, with milking beginning in 2023. Stephen has been farming all his life, with his parents running a beef and tillage farm. His mother Grainne, father Niall, uncle Hugh, and brothers Ian and Jason all help out.

Stephen attributes his success and this award to his focus on cubicle comfort, milk recording and using the data from milk recordings to allow him to make informed decisions around selective dry cow treatment. He enjoys farming as it is what he has always done and wanted to do, and having family help makes it a nice family affair. Outside of farming, Stephen likes to meet up with friends and keeps in touch with college mates from Ballyhaise. He appreciates the support from Aurivo, especially when setting up the farm and getting advice on viability and technicalities like Bord Bia certification.

Future Milk Sustainability Champion
Leo Conlon
Easky, Co. Sligo

Leo Conlon, awarded Future Milk Sustainability Champion, farms 100-acres, with 50 acres rented and 50 owned. He maintains an average of 60 cows, crossbred with 25% Jersey and 75% Holstein. Leo is the fourth generation farmer, having farmed part-time until 2006 and gradually increasing his herd from 18 to 60 cows. Leo has the help of family around the farm – wife Emer, mother Mary, son Anthony, who is in agri college in Mountbellew, and his father Leo Sr., who is 86 and still milks every morning and evening, all help out.

Leo attributes his success and this award to his commitment to all six measures required by the Aurivo Future Milk scheme, including genotyping the herd, using high EBI and DBI bulls, Milk recording and using the data to maintain a SCC below 100. Leo has used protected urea products for the last 2 years and attended an Aurivo ‘’water quality’’ event. Leo enjoys farming as it allows him to be his own boss and work in the countryside environment, which comes naturally to him. He considers farming both his job and hobby. He appreciates Aurivo’s open communication and the availability of information and support when needed.