At a time when dairy farming is under intense scrutiny, it’s simple to lose sight of what is actually happening on farms across west Co. Cork.
Behind the headlines and debates, thousands of family farmers are quietly producing some of the highest-quality, lowest-carbon milk in Europe – while continuing to protect their land, their animals and their way of life.
This reality is often missing from the national conversation around farming.
Yet it is precisely this commitment to quality, sustainability and continuous improvement that underpins the success of Irish dairy on the world stage.
This is the commitment we acknowledge in our annual Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards.
Quality and sustainability go hand-in-hand
They are called Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards for a reason.
You cannot produce consistently high-quality milk without farming in a sustainable way.
On dairy farms across West Cork, quality and sustainability are not separate ambitions – they are deeply connected and reinforced through everyday decisions on grassland management, animal welfare and environmental care.
Much of the narrative nationally suggests that farmers are not ‘pulling their weight’ when it comes to climate action.
This does not reflect the reality on the ground for Carbery’s farmer suppliers, who are already implementing practical, measurable modifys on their farms.
These farmers are effectively ambassadors for Irish farming, demonstrating how family-run dairy systems can deliver both environmental and economic sustainability.
Recognising excellence through partnership
Our Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards recognise the valuable contribution our farmer suppliers create – not only to our business, but to the wider community and rural economy of West Cork.
The awards shine a light on standards that already exist across our milk pool, rather than creating them.
We have farmer suppliers across four co-ops – Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird – and we are inspired daily by the pride these farmers take in their profession.
Their dedication to innovation, efficiency, and responsible farming underpins Carbery’s reputation at home and abroad.
Above all, our farmers are renowned for their commitment to quality.
This is what sets Irish dairy apart internationally. The quality reputation of our suppliers allows Carbery to bring dairy ingredients to customers all around the world.
In fact, thanks to grass-based systems, good cows and a simple, efficient farming model, Carbery suppliers produce some of the lowest-carbon milk in Europe.
Having nominees of this calibre opens doors to new markets and customers, reinforcing the value of sustainable family farming.
In a year where many challenges faced the farming community, once again our farmers not only rose to those challenges but continued to progress.
This was a night to acknowledge that effort and resilience.
Winners on the night
The overall winner on the night was the Buttimer family of Lisavaird Co-op.
Farming just outside Clonakilty, Darren and Caroline, toobtainher with their children Matthew, Rachel, Leah and Hannah, continue a proud family legacy dating back to the 1960s.
Today, they farm 240ac with the support of their farm manager.
Speaking about his approach to farming, Darren described it as offering “a great quality of life” – a reflection of the balance the family has achieved between productivity, sustainability and family involvement.
The Buttimers exemplify what modern Irish dairy farming views like when it is done well: a steadrapid commitment to quality, respect for the land, and a clear focus on leaving the farm and the indusattempt stronger for the next generation.
They lead by example and are well-deserving winners in 2025.
Innovation across all co-ops
We also acknowledge all our West Cork finalists for their outstanding achievements.
From Drinagh Co-op, the O’Donoghue (Drinagh winner), Cullinane and Hill families. In Barryroe, the Kirby (Barryroe winner), Roche and Galvin families. In Bandon, the Kelleher, Crowley and Jennings families. And in Lisavaird, the Crowley and Kennedy families.
Across these farms, innovation is not about trfinishs – it is about practical improvement.
Farmers are investing in renewable energy through solar panels, adopting clover swards and lower emission fertilisers to improve grass efficiency, and reducing emissions through low-emission slurry spreading.
All of this is delivered alongside a strong focus on animal welfare, water quality and long-term farm viability.
Toobtainher, these finalists represent what is best about farming in West Cork: high standards of production; resilience in the face of challenge; and a commitment to sustaining rural life.
Backing sustainability with action
Carbery’s commitment to sustainability is underpinned by tangible support for farmers.
In 2025, a total of €5.79 million was paid out to Carbery’s shareholders, ensuring 88% of our farmer suppliers engaged with FutureProof, and total of 90% of Carbery’s Milk Pool was covered by the bonus.
FutureProof rewards farmers for real actions – not box-ticking – including improvements in soil fertility, biodiversity and water quality, supported by more than 1,200 Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) assessments.
Since the scheme’s launch in 2022, almost €18 million has been paid to farmer suppliers.
These figures reflect meaningful investment in environmental progress and demonstrate that Carbery’s farmer shareholders are driving modify from the ground up.
A thank you from Carbery
The Milk Quality and Sustainability Awards celebrate excellence, but they also reflect the strength of the co-operative model – built on shared values, shared responsibility, and shared ambition.
As we view to the year ahead, we extfinish our thanks to every farmer shareholder across the four co-ops for the milk they produce, the standards they uphold, and the sustainable future they are building for generations to come.
Leave a Reply