National Dairy Awards Celebrate Ireland's 'Dairy Champions'

The 2026 FBD National Dairy Awards took place in Portlaoise.

The Midlands produced three winners at this year's National Dairy Awards.

The big winner on the night was Damer Discussion Group, Tipperary, which took both the ‘Cormac Tagging Dairy Discussion Group of the Year Winner 2026’ and the ‘Overall FBD National Dairy Award Winner’. Established in 1989, the Damer Discussion Group has built more than 35 years of farmer-to-farmer learning, business development, friendship and accountability. Clear rules, rotating leadership, an annual programme and a culture of honest challenge have allowed the group to evolve while maintaining high standards and gradually bringing younger farmers into an experienced membership.

Michael Nolan, Managing Director of Agri Insider said: “The National Dairy Awards, launched in 2023, applaud our dairy champions and act as a social event to bring the entire dairy sector together for a night of celebration and recognition. Since their launch, the awards have become one of the pre-eminent agri awards ceremonies in the country. Our goal is to continue to grow and cement our position as ‘the best night in the dairy calendar’. To this end, we were delighted to being on board two new partners this year: FBD as naming right sponsor and IFP Media as co-organiser and promoter. These strategic partnerships have taken the awards to the next level and guarantee all our winners, finalists and sponsors the recognition and publicity their hard work and dedication deserves. Congratulations to our finalists and our winners, who all represent the best of the best of our thriving dairy industry. Thank you also to our partners and sponsors; and to our esteemed judging panel, who really committed to the process of finding worthy winners from some very high-quality submissions.”

Michael Berkery, Chairman of the FBD Trust, commented: “At FBD, we are proud of our long-standing relationship with Irish farmers and the agricultural sector. Founded by farmers, for farmers, FBD continues to maintain a close connection with rural Ireland and its communities. The FBD Trust was established to advance the interests of farm families and the farming sector through support for research, education and knowledge transfer. Over many years, the Trust has invested in initiatives that strengthen Irish agriculture, improve competitiveness and support the long-term sustainability of our farming and food industries.  

The future success of Irish dairy farming will depend on the continued development of skilled, progressive and forward-thinking individuals who are prepared to embrace change while maintaining the highest standards of production, sustainability and animal care. The people recognised here tonight represent the very best of that ambition and commitment. They are helping to ensure that Irish dairy farming remains competitive, resilient and world-leading for generations to come.” 

The full list of winners are:

• Biodiversity Dairy Farmer of the Year Winner 2026: Maria Phelan, Laois Organic
• Animal Health Dairy Farmer of the Year Winner 2026: Joe Brennan, Roscommon
• Agri Insider Best Artisan Dairy Cheese Winner 2026: Stracciatella, Sabanero Dairy
• Best Artisan Non-Cheese Product Winner 2026: Wild Churn Gelato
• Germinal Sustainable Dairy Grassland Farmer of the Year Winner 2026: Michael Carroll, Limerick
• Dairy Marketing Campaign of the Year Winner 2026: World Without Cows, Alltech
• Irish Farmers Monthly Dairy Advisor of the Year Winner 2026: Bryan Harte, Tirlán
• Cormac Tagging Dairy Discussion Group of the Year Winner 2026: Damer Discussion Group, Tipperary
• Best Dairy Research Programme / Project Winner 2026: Dairygold Pathways Farm Succession Programme
• Carbery Co-op Dairy Innovation Recognition Award Winner 2026: GyPSy Pro Max
• FBD Dairy Farm Manager of the Year Winner 2026: Alan Daly, Deerpark Farm, Waterford
• Dairy Vet of the Year Winner 2026: Donal Lynch, Slieve Bloom Veterinary, Offaly
• Calor Dairy Sustainability Initiative of the Year: Biomethane for Carbon and Community Project, Technological University of the Shannon
• Local Power Best Dairy Sustainability Driver Winner 2026: Tara McCarthy, Alltech
• Green Acre Marketing Dairy Social Media Ambassador of the Year Winner 2026: Louise Crowley, Limerick
• Mullinahone Co-op Young Dairy Farmer of the Year Winner 2026: Conor Wynne, Kildare
• Herdwatch Best Dairy Product Innovation Winner 2026: Vital Plus Fat Filled Milk Powder, Lakeland Dairies, Cavan
• IFP Media Dairy Leader of the Year Winner 2026: Professor Karina Pierce, Dean of Agriculture at UCD
• Tech Innovator Dairy Farmer of the Year Winner 2026: Cathal Fleming, Laois
• PTSB Best Dairy Producer / Co-op of the Year: Dairygold
• Overall National Dairy Awards Winner 2026: Damer Discussion Group