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The Mason family from Tralee.
A TRALEE family is among 14 farms who has reached the finals of the 2023 National Dairy Council (NDC) and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
Representing Lee Strand, the Mason family from Ballinduganig, Tralee has been shortlisted for the award, dubbed the ‘Oscars of the Dairy World’.
Representing seven counties and 14 dairy co-ops nationwide, the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards recognise and celebrate the highest standards of dairy production with a focus on milk quality, animal welfare, and sustainable farming practices.
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Niall Mason, is a fourth-generation farmer from Tralee, joined on the farm by his wife Deirdre and their two-year-old son Freddie.
The Mason family has proudly owned and operated the farm since the early 1900’s. In 2022 Niall and Deirdre took full ownership of the farm, after a five-year partnership with working with his parents, who both remain actively engaged in the farm’s daily operations.
Niall’s forward-thinking approach is characterised by his relentless pursuit of innovation on the farm, driven by a belief that standing still is never an option.
He actively participates in local discussion groups and is always eager to embrace new techniques that will enhance the farm’s sustainability.
Niall places a strong emphasis on the importance of caring for the land with the same dedication as their cows, prioritising practices such as grass measurement and low fertiliser usage.
The Mason’s farm management decisions are guided by data, facts and statistics, instilling confidence that they are consistently guiding the farm toward a greener, sustainable future.
The prestigious awards, now in their twelfth year, honour farming families who work hard every day to produce top quality dairy using sustainable production methods.
In recent years, additional criteria have been added to acknowledge dairy farmers who prioritise animal welfare, sustainability, and hygiene on their farms.
Following nomination from their respective co-operative, each farming family participated in an intensive judging process examining a broad range of criteria including environmental management, animal health and welfare, farm infrastructure and hygiene, soil and grassland management and technical performance, among other core indicators.
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