Lakeland Dairies announces Supreme Milk Quality award winners

Winning a milk quality award is a truly excellent achievement. The awards recognise excellence in milk production across a network of more than 3,200 farm families in 17 counties producing over 2 billion litres of milk each year for Lakeland Dairies.

The awards were presented by Dr. Sinclair Mayne, former CEO of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute.

Tomas Loughrey from Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath was named Supreme Milk Quality Champion, for exceptional milk quality and outstanding standards on his farm.

In addition to the Supreme Champion, Lakeland Dairies also announced winners in several categories at the 2026 Milk Quality Awards.

Republic of Ireland

>500,000 Litre Category Winners

Tomas Loughrey from Ballinredra, Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath won the >500,000 litre producer category award in the Republic of Ireland and was named as the Supreme Champion.

The highly commended runner-up in the >500,000 litre producer category was Gerard Sherlock from Tydavnet, Co. Monaghan.

<500,000 Litre Category Winners

Sean Coyle from Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan won the <500,000 litre producer category.

Ashley and Stuart McClean from Smithboro, Co. Monaghan were the highly commended runners-up in the <500,000 producer category.

Sustainability Award

Colm and Millie McIntyre from Daingean, Co. Offaly won the Lakeland Dairies Sustainability Award for outstanding commitment to sustainable milk production as well as environmental and economic sustainability.

Northern Ireland

>1m Litre Category Winners

Stephen and Marina Hamilton from Tandragee, Co. Armagh won the >1m litre milk producer category in Northern Ireland.

Stanley and Rhona Burns from Hillsborough, Co. Down were the highly commended runners-up in the >1m litre producer category of the awards in Northern Ireland.

<1m Litre Category Winners

Robin and Elaine Morrow from Newtownards, Co. Down won the <1m litre producer category in Northern Ireland.

Philip Kyle from Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone was the highly commended runner-up in the <1m litre producer category in Northern Ireland.

Best New Entrants

Mark Maguire from Grangegeeth, Collon, Co.Louth was declared winner of the Republic of Ireland Best New Entrant Category.

James Purcell from Limavady, Co. Derry/Londonderry won the Northern Ireland Best New Entrant Category.

Lakeland Dairies Young Farmer Award

James McEvoy from Gilford, Armagh won the Lakeland Dairies Young Farmer Award. The award is aimed at recognising the activity and involvement of young farmers in bringing fresh and new ideas to the family farm. The winner receives a bursary to take part in an agricultural study tour of their choice before the end of 2027.

Lakeland Dairies’ Chairperson, Niall Matthews praised the award winners: “The Milk Quality Awards recognise the very best of what our co-operative represents, a deep-rooted commitment to dairy excellence at farm level. Across our network of farm families, quality is a way of life, built through dedication, care and consistency. It is a privilege to celebrate the people who continue to set the standard for our industry.”

Lakeland Dairies’ Group CEO Colin Kelly said: “These awards reflect the strength and ambition of our milk suppliers, who continue to raise the bar year-on-year through innovation, attention to detail and a relentless focus on quality. That commitment underpins everything we do at Lakeland Dairies, delivering world-class dairy products while supporting sustainable, progressive farming across our regions.”