Laois farmers among cream of the crop at dairy awards in Portlaoise

Laois well represented as Finalists in the National Dairy Awards, which the county is hosting in June.

The third annual National Dairy Awards take place in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, on the evening of Thursday, June 19. The organisers say awards celebrate all that is good in the dairy industry.

Laois is more than holding its own with three finalists who were revealed in a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Maria Phelan of Laois Organic and Bruce Thompson of Camcloon Dairy are both finalists in the Kerry Dairy Ireland Biodiversity Dairy Farmer of the year.

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

The county's third finalist is Cathal Fleming of J & C Fleming, who is shortlisted in the Lely Atlantic Tech Innovator Dairy Farmer of the year category.

This award recognises dairy farmers who have embraced technology changes and demonstrated outstanding innovation and leadership in the adoption of new technology on their farm. 

The black-tie event honours the farmer, farm manager, dairy advisor, dairy vet and dairy innovator. The awards acknowledge their dedication and hard work.

"This celebration of excellence also extends beyond the farm to the artisan champions, the processors, the discussion groups and the industry leaders, who are blazing a trail in ingenuity, creativity and sustainability," said awards organisers Agri Insider and Agrliand.

The 2025 judges include: Catherine Keena, Countryside Management Specialist, Teagasc; Vanessa Kiely O’Connor, Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group / Board Member Bandon Co-op and Clona Dairy Products / Commissioner, Just Transition Commission / ICOS / Dairy Farmer; Cormac Farrelly, Managing Director, Agriland; Kevin Maher; Senior Executive, Dairy Sustainability Ireland; Laurence Feeney, Chief Executive, Irish Holstein Friesian Association; Aileen Barron, Managing Director, Green Acre Marketing; Hugh Harney, Technical Dairy Specialist, Agriland; Mary Kinston, Dairy Women Ireland, / Overall Winner 2nd Annual National Dairy Awards; Michael Nolan, Managing Director, Agri Insider.