Local farm family best in category at prestigious national dairy awards

The Toohey family from South Offaly, on the border with Tipperary, have won a category honour at the 2022 National Dairy Council & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

The family, based at Cullenwaine, between Moneygall and Cloughjordan, was this week announced as the category winner for 'Best in Class Technical Performance' at the prestigious awards, which acknowledge and celebrate the highest standards of excellence in dairy farming in Ireland.

Eoin and Colette Toohey have four sons, David, Killian, Brian and Cathal. Eoin's father purchased the land in 1971 and both Eoin and Colette have been farming it since 2001.

Second-generation farmers, the Toohey operation is a family one through and through. The family still farms Colette's land, 20 miles away, as well as owning and operating a fully-functioning heifer-rearing and beef enterprise in North Kilkenny.

The Tooheys, who were nominated by Arrabawn, were among just 13 families who took home 'best in category' awards at the event held in Ballyvolane House, Co Cork, on Wednesday. The Connelly Family from Tuam in Galway was named as the overall winner.

All 13 finalists underwent a robust and detailed independent assessment by an expert judging panel including Professor Pat Wall Professor of Public Health at UCD, Dr David Gleeson Research Officer Livestock Systems at Teagasc, and Dr Jack Kennedy, Deputy Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said that for farming families to be recognised by their own peers and their own co-operative was a tremendous honour.

"The success achieved by winners and nominees comes from a lifetime of dedication to dairy farming excellence and constant improvement. On behalf of the industry, I thank all the nominees and winners for what they have achieved," he said.