Major award for Mayo family farm

Trench Dairy Ltd, operated by the Trench and Ronayne families from Claremorris, has been awarded the prestigious Lowest Carbon Footprint Award at the 2025 National Dairy Council and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. The annual ceremony, held at Lyrath Estate Hotel in Co Kilkenny, celebrated excellence in milk production and sustainable dairying, recognising 12 farming families from seven counties alongside 12 dairy co-operatives.

Following their nomination by Aurivo Co-op, Donal Ronayne and his uncle Liam Trench underwent a comprehensive judging process covering environmental sustainability, animal health and welfare, farm infrastructure, hygiene, soil and grassland management, farm advocacy, and technical performance.

The partnership between Donal and Liam began in 2021 when they converted Liam’s suckler-to-beef farm into a modern dairy unit. Today, their 168-cow herd produces an impressive 551kg of milk solids per cow annually for Aurivo, with butterfat at 5.1% and protein at 3.94%. The farm focuses on genetics, herd health, and nutrition, while also prioritising environmental stewardship. 

For Donal, dairying has long been a family passion. Growing up on a beef and suckler farm while balancing a job in An Post, he later studied Dairy Business at University College Dublin and gained experience in New Zealand and at Moorepark. Alongside Liam, who continues to run his contracting business, Donal has transformed the farm into a compact, efficient, grass-focused operation with a modern Waikato parlour. Despite recently recovering from cruciate ligament surgery, Donal manages the farm with the aid of technology, including collars, an automatic drafter, and a calf feeder, ensuring smooth operations even while on crutches.

The herd itself is bred for efficiency, with all dairy semen used being sexed, and beef calves sired from Limousin, Angus, and easy-calving Belgian Blue. 

Family support is central to the farm’s success. Donal’s brother Thomas helps manage day-to-day operations, Liam’s daughter Hannah is a key member of the milking team, and Liam’s sons assist with machinery. Transition Year students and relief milkers also contribute to the running of the farm.

Recognition has followed quickly. Trench Dairy Ltd previously claimed the Aurivo Milk Quality Awards overall win and the Highest Solids Award, reflecting the strong genetics and grassland management underpinning the enterprise. Perhaps the most notable achievement is the model itself. The uncle-and-nephew partnership offers a blueprint for sustainable, family-driven dairying, providing opportunities for new entrants while allowing established farmers to step back and ensure the continuity of their family farms.

Donal sums up the philosophy driving the farm simply: “Compact spring calving, good grass, and attention to detail.” 

Behind that simplicity, however, lies vision, dedication, and a clear example of how Irish dairying can evolve sustainably while remaining firmly rooted in the local community.