Walsh Island farmer scoops 'best new entrant to dairying' award

An Offaly farmer has been declared the winner of the 'best new entrant to dairying' category in the Lakeland Dairies Milk Quality Awards, due to the exceptionally high quality of milk produced on his farm.

Kenneth Whittle from Walsh Island, who was announced as the winner of the accolade, is pictured above with Orla Whittle, their son Kenneth junior, and Liam Cahill of Lakeland Dairies.

The Whittles are among 3,200 farm families, in 16 counties, who supply over 1.85 billion litres of milk annually to Lakeland Dairies.

Lakeland Dairies' Milk Quality Awards recognise particularly high-quality milk production on farms.

In the past five years, over 300 new entrants have started supplying milk to Lakeland Dairies.

Stanley and Tanya Graham from Killeshandra, Co. Cavan, along with Sean, Shane and Stephanie Sloan from Kilkeel, Co. Down, were named as joint winners of the 'supreme champion' award this year.

Lakeland Dairies' Chairman, Alo Duffy, paid tribute to the award winners.

"Despite the onset of the Covid-19 global pandemic, it is critical to recognise and reward the commitment of our 3,200 farm families to the highest standards of milk production, sustainability, hygiene, animal health and overall care for the environment," he said.