Tipperary's Damer Discussion Group crowned the Overall FBD National Dairy Award Winner
Tipperary‘s Damer Discussion Group took the overall prize in the recent FBD National Dairy Awards, which were held earlier in November
The FBD National Dairy Awards, which took place earlier in November in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, was attended by the great and good of Ireland’s dairy industry.
The big winner on the night was Tipperary’s Damer Discussion Group, 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.
Guests celebrating the ‘best night in the dairy calendar’ honoured the achievements of all of the award’s finalists, who included farmers, processors, vets, advisors, innovators, artisans, marketers and discussion groups, all leading the way in supporting Ireland’s thriving dairy industry. Ivan Yates led the evening as Master of Ceremonies.
Other big winners on the evening included:
- Mullinahone Co-op Young Dairy Farmer of the Year Winner 2026: Conor Wynne, Kildare
- Dairy Vet of the Year Winner 2026: Donal Lynch, Slieve Bloom Veterinary
- 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
- IFP Media Dairy Leader of the Year Winner 2026: Professor Karina Pierce, Dean of Agriculture at UCD
- PTSB Best Dairy Producer / Co-op of the Year: Dairygold
Commenting on the awards 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.
“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 that, “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.”