Awards for Laois dairy excellence on local farms

Local farmers were among the award winners at the annual National Dairy Awards which took place recently in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise.

Bruce Thompson, who farms at Camcloon, Ballyfin was the Kerry Dairy Ireland Biodiversity Dairy Farmer of the Year winner.

Martin O’Reilly, who farms at Cappalug farm, on the Laois Carlow border, was the Mullinahone Co-op Young Dairy Farmer of the Year winner.

Bruce describes himself as “a conventional” who milks 260 grass-fed cows. Bruce told the judges he has become environmentally aware.

“Over the years, I have become more aware of the impact that my farm has on its environment. This has led me to alter practices on my farm to allow a functioning ecosystem to operate with a profitable and functioning farm.

“With this in mind I have completed a Nuffield Scholarship, graduated with a Diploma in The Environment, Agriculture and Sustainability, joined AHI's technial working group for parasite control, became the farmer member on the COWS steering group and became the Irish Ambassador for SPARC, an EU wide programme for sustainable parasite control.

“These moves were all done to develop and adopt changes on both my farm and to help others,” he said.

He outlined measures to support and enhance biodiversity.

“I have put in two wildlife ponds for both the benefit of biodiversity and mental health. I have planted hedgerows and trees using cactus tree guards. I have left three acres of ground go to rewilding. We were experimenting with multi-species swards... Hedgerow management has been changed to breasting only, allowing my hedgerows prosper,” he said.

Other measures taken include bird boxes, changed management of fly and worm control products to minimise non-intended environmental impacts and breeding dung beetles through technologies t studied in Australia.

Maria Phelan of Laois Organic was also a finalist in the category, won by Bruce Thompson. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Pictured inset is Bruce Thompson. The main picture features Bruce's dad, Ian, picking up the award, on his son's behalf, for Kerry Dairy Ireland Biodiversity Dairy Farmer of the Year from James O'Connell of Kerry Dairy Ireland.

The category celebrated dairy farmers who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship, implementing innovative practices to enhance the natural capital on their farms.

Martin O'Reilly is no stranger to awards in his fledgling career in agriculture. He scooped two prizes at the annual 2024 FBD Macra Young Farmer of the Year held in Killenard.

He has a 76-cow high EBI, spring calving herd on dry ground at the family farm at Cappalug. His focus is on breeding and grassland management. A tenth of the farm is reseeded annually. Heifers are reared on an outfarm, and beef calves are sold to local farmers. His stock is 100% AI bred with no stockbulls, collars and drafting gate to sort.

He outlined to competition organisers why he entered the third edition of the 2025 National Dairy Awards.

“My entry tells my own personal story of been a young farmer and the tragic event which I experienced with my father's sudden loss but also motivated me to be the young farmer I am today. Hopefully it is a motivation to other young farmers to show that the farm can be a way of getting yourself and the family through tough times and I think the family farm structure is very important in Ireland as our grass based system is seen as one of the most sustainable systems in the world for supplying quality dairy products.

“The farm is now running at a high standard with 13 tonne of grass been grown, all protected urea, clover oversowing and reseeding and 500 kg of milk solids been achieved, safety is a big feature on the farm with cow collars and a drafting gate fitted recently to reduce workload and safety around handling of cows and there is now no stockbulls and I am trained in AI, hoof pairing, bovine scanning, quad safety course and professional pesticide user. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Martin O'Reilly receiving his Mullinahone Co-op Young Dairy Farmer of the Year award from Martin Ryan, CEO of Mullinahone Co-op.

“ My system is to have an efficient and sustainable business which will provide for me and the next generation, currently investing in solar panels so that the farm will be able to produce its own electricity and store it in batterys for later period, rainwater harvesting is also in progress. Biodiversity measures are practised on the farm with my small hedgecutter so they can be managed correctly on three-year cycles, buffer zones and more measures, roadsweeper allows yard to be kept spotless to improve water quality,” he said.

The Young Dairy Farmer recognises those under 35 who have shown exceptional dedication to maintaining the health and welfare of their herd through the implementation of best practices and innovative solutions.

The Local Power Best Sustainability Driver award was presented to Camross resident Colin Donnery. He is Group CEO who of FRS Co-Op which has an office in The Cube Portlaoise.

Cathal Fleming of J & C Fleming, was shortlisted in the Lely Atlantic Tech Innovator Dairy Farmer of the year category which recognises dairy farmers who have embraced technology changes and demonstrated outstanding innovation and leadership in the adoption of new technology on their farm.

The awards organisers Agri Insider and Agrliand said the awards were founded in 2023 to celebrate the primary producers, the artisan producers, sector services and the dairy processors as an industry collective. They recognise the best of the Irish dairy sector and the passion, dedication, innovation and hard work of the people within the sector.

Some 250 people attended the gala ceremony held in the Portlaoise hotel on Thursday, June 19.