Local farmers are cream of the crop

Two Longford farmers have received a runner up award at this year’s prestigious Lakeland Dairies Milk Quality Awards, which were held last week.

Sean and Donal Conefrey from Moyne clinched the accolade in the 0-400,000 litres milk production category, while James Clarke of nearby Virginia, Co Cavan took the top award in the category. The north Longford brothers have now earned themselves a coveted spot among champion dairy farmers in Monaghan, Longford, Cavan, Down and Fermanagh.

The awards were presented by Mairéad McGuinness MEP, together with Lakeland Dairies Chairman Padraig Young and Chief Executive, Michael Hanley. “The end of EU milk quotas in 2015 will bring with it huge opportunities for dairy farming but also uncertainties and the likelihood of increased volatility in milk price,” said Ms McGuinness. “It will require an even greater focus on the market place and its needs and while dairy farming is a complex business, Irish dairy farming is world class, as exemplified by today’s winners.”