Stand location: Block 2, Row 24, Stand 410 #NDCDome #MadeForThis
Henry Shefflin will be with the National Dairy Council on Day 2 of the National Ploughing Championships, Wednesday 23rd September 2015 (10.00am until 1.00pm).
Henry is supporting the announcement of thirteen of the country’s top dairy farms who are short-listed to compete in the national finals of the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards for 2015. The ten times All-Ireland hurling champion will be presenting the prize to our top dairy farm when the results of the national awards are announced on 20th October this year.
Congratulating the thirteen national finalists, Henry Shefflin said that when you aim for a high standard it means taking on a commitment to work progressively and consistently, looking at ways to improve and sustain what you’re doing.
“The finalists in the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards demonstrate a keen interest in adopting up to date best practices, combined with strong characteristics such as pride in preserving their family heritage and in doing the job right.”
Recently appointed NDC Chairman Teddy Cashman, a dairy farmer from Co. Cork, explains that co-ops throughout the country are invited to nominate their best dairy farmers for the national awards. “The thirteen shortlisted farmers are put through an intensive scrutiny by the judges involving rigorous inspection of milk quality reports and technical data about their herd spanning a full 12 month period,” says Mr. Cashman.
The technical information is combined with an inspection visit to each farm by national judges to examine the overall farm management plus specific areas such as sustainability, care of the environment and animal health and welfare.
“All of the dairy farmers who are finalists are exemplary role models of dairy farming excellence,” said Mr. Cashman.
“Irish dairy produce is based on farming with cows grazing outdoors on grass for much of the year and based on high standards of milk quality and food safety. These are standards which Irish consumers can enjoy every day and practices which result in healthier, happier cows – but combined with a way of dairy farming which is sustainable and means we can pass on something better to those who follow us,” said Mr. Cashman.
“Environment and sustainability are amongst the five priorities identified for the Irish dairy sector in the Food Wise 2025 strategy. It is encouraging to see that all of the national finalists in the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards are registered with SDAS (the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme).”
Winning Taste of Dairy
The NDC Dome at the ploughing this year also features the Winning Taste of Dairy – a wonderful choice of Irish dairy brands from around the country thanks to a selection of member co-ops exhibiting. This is brought to life by four free cookery demonstrations each day at the ploughing by celebrity TV chef Brian Mc Dermott (11.00am, 1.00pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm).
Brian McDermott is a resident chef on RTÉ’s Today Show, has presented his own weekly cookery slot on BBC Radio Foyle and is a regular contributor to many national events and press titles. He has been cooking professionally for over 25 years and also runs his own cookery school in Moville, Inishowen, Co. Donegal.
Brian is passionate about using local produce and cooking ‘honest’ food with no hidden ingredients. “I let the ingredients speak for themselves by using herbs and spices that complement, but don’t overshadow the main dish,” says Brian. The cookery demonstrations will showcase the diversity, flavours and goodness of dairy and include recipes for hand held soda breads with a smoothie, a lemon drizzle cake, a simple ‘One Pot’ curry and seafood chowder with porridge & cheese crusted wheaten bread.
Winning Smile
The ever popular PhotoBooth returns to the NDC Dome with a chance to win prizes each day of the Ploughing. You can also test your football skills in an interactive penalty shoot-out zone where there is the opportunity each day to win some spot prizes.
Ploughing Day 3 – Nutrition & You
<http://newstalk.ie/>
Broadcaster and designer Brendan Courtney joins the National Dairy Council at the National Ploughing Championships on Day 3, Thursday 24th September from 12 noon until 3.00pm. He will highlight the expansion of the range of consumer leaflets on ‘Nutrition & You’ from the NDC which are endorsed by the INDI (Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute. The series now features nutritional information tailored for children, for adults and for the 50+ age group.
The 2015 national finalists for the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards are:
County Cavan
· Ivor Smyth, Countenan, Poles, Co Cavan (representing Lakeland Dairies)
County Cork
· Dan & Valerie Dennehy, Clonmoyle, Aghabullogue, Co. Cork (representing Dairygold Co-op)
· James Kingston, Maulnageragh, Clonakilty, Co. Cork (representing Lisavaird Co-op)
· Owen & Rosaleen O’Brien, Cashelbeg, Enniskeane, Co. Cork (representing Bandon Co-op)
· Denis, Siobhan, Barry & Jane O’Mahony, Shanakiel, Kilbrittain, Bandon, Co. Cork (representing Barryroe Co-op)
· Kieran & Catherine O’Sullivan, Dunmanus, Goleen, Co. Cork (representing Drinagh Co-op)
County Galway
· John & Colette Fox, Ballinacregg, Oranmore, Co. Galway (representing Arrabawn Co-op)
County Kerry
· Florence & Caitriona McCarthy, Banna East, Ardfert, Co. Kerry (representing Lee Strand Co-op)
County Kilkenny
· John & Margaret Greene, Greenville, Callan, Co. Kilkenny (representing Callan Co-op)
County Limerick
· Michael and Mary Ita McCarthy, Kilmurray, Feenagh, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick (representing Kerry Agribusiness)
County Sligo
· Gerard & Marie Killoran, Carrowloughlin, Bunninadden, Ballymote, Co. Sligo (representing Aurivo Co-op)
County Tipperary
· Thomas & Marie Ryan, Kylemakill, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary (representing Centenary Thurles Co-op)
County Wexford
· John & Ann Fitzgerald, Gobbinstown House, New Ross, Co. Wexford (representing Glanbia Ingredients Ireland)
You can find out more at www.ndc.ie<http://www.ndc.ie> or www.winwithdairy.ie<http://www.winwithdairy.ie> . You can also follow the National Dairy Council on Facebook/NDCIreland or Twitter @NDC_ie