2 days ago
Nenagh farmer named Arrabawn Tipperary Co-op 'Milk Supplier of the Year'
Dairy processor, Arrabawn Tipperary Co-op has announced the winner of its 2024 Milk Supplier of the Year award.
The Tipperary dairy farmer, Ned Kelly was named the winner of the award yesterday (Tuesday, August 12).
A spokesperson for the dairy processor said: "With an impressive combination of sustainability, milk quality, animal care, and family dedication, the Kelly farm stands as a shining example of the best of Irish dairy farming.
"Arrabawn Tipperary Co-op would like to congratulate Ned Kelly and his family on winning the very prestigious award."
The co-op also expressed its thanks to the Kelly family for representing Arrabawn Tipperary Co-Op to the "highest of standards" in their role as a milk supplier.
Kelly is the first winner of the award since the merger of Arrabawn Co-operative Society and Tipperary Co-operative Creameries back in February 2025.
Kelly, who is based just outside Nenagh in Ballycommon is milking 141 cows along the banks of Lough Derg.
The north Tipperary family farm has being run by the Kellys since 1973 experiencing much growth over the years such as the 2023 upgrade to a 12-unit double-up parlour to improve labour efficiency.
On February 28, 2025, Arrabawn Tipperary Co-operative Society was formally established following a merger of Arrabawn Co-operative Society and Tipperary Co-operative Creameries.
The decision to merge the two companies into the current dairy and agri-trading cooperative came in November 2024.
The new co-op owned by over 4,800 members, has 1,400 dairy farmer suppliers spanning across 16 counties and supplying approximately 750 million litres of milk annually.
The merger led to the co-op owning:
Two primary ingredient manufacturing facilities at Nenagh and Tipperary town, processing almost 900 million litres of milk products annually;
15 agri-trading stores, including facilities at Nenagh, Tipperary town and Athenry;
Feed brand Dan O'Connor Feeds;
French-based cheese production facility Tippagral.
In May, the co-op appointed Co. Cork native, Eamon O'Sullivan as its first CEO since the merger.
