Tully, Co. Kildare, 8 September 2026 – Twenty-six of Ireland’s top-performing beef producers were honoured today at the inaugural ICBF Beef Quality Awards, held in conjunction with the ICBF Tully Open Day at the Tully Progeny Test Centre in Co. Kildare.
Established by ICBF, the awards recognise farmers who are successfully using genetics, performance data and best management practices to drive profitability, efficiency and sustainability within their beef enterprises. The awards highlight the important role that data-driven decision-making can play in improving the performance of Irish beef production systems.
The awards are supported through a joint contribution from ICBF and FBD Trust, together with sponsorship from Ireland’s six leading beef processors: ABP, Ashbourne Meats, Dawn Meats, Foyle Food Group, Kepak and Liffey Meats. Their collective support reflects a shared commitment to recognising excellence in Irish beef production and promoting the adoption of technologies and breeding tools that can deliver long-term benefits for farmers and the wider industry.
Speaking at the awards, Sean Coughlan, Chief Executive of ICBF, said:
“The ICBF Beef Quality Awards recognise farmers who are using genetics and performance information to support more efficient, profitable and sustainable beef production. Each of today’s winners has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to producing high-quality cattle and making informed decisions within their farming system.
“We are delighted to celebrate their achievements at Tully today, and we sincerely thank FBD Trust and our processor partners for their support in making these awards possible.”
Michael Berkery, Chairman of FBD Trust, said:
“FBD Trust is delighted to sponsor the ICBF Beef Quality Awards for the second year running. The awards have been well received by farmers and the beef industry and will contribute to the awareness of the value of genetic improvement in beef production.
On behalf of FBD Trust, I am delighted to congratulate this year’s winners and acknowledge their commitment to the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) principle.
I would also like to acknowledge ICBF’s stellar contribution to the National Cattle Breeding Programme and the progress that has been made since its foundation.”
The awards formed a key part of the 2026 ICBF Tully Open Day, which brought together farmers, industry stakeholders, researchers and agri-food representatives to learn more about the latest developments in cattle breeding, genetics, sustainability and beef performance research.
2026 ICBF Beef Quality Award Winners
ABP
Dairy Beef Finisher
Thomas Mulhall
Dairy Farmer Finisher
Rory Dunne
Suckler Farmer Finisher
John McCormack
Suckler Finisher
Neil Ryan
Ashbourne Meats
Dairy Beef Finisher
William Burke
Dairy Farmer Finisher
William St Leger
Suckler Finisher
John Paul Fitzpatrick
Suckler Farmer Finisher
David Talbot
Dawn Meats
Dairy Beef Finisher
Olwyn Owens
Dairy Farmer Finisher
Liam Phelan
Suckler Finisher
Patrick O’Grady
Suckler Farmer Finisher
William Fitzpatrick
Foyle Food Group
Dairy Beef Finisher
John Graham
Dairy Farmer Finisher
David Fagan
Suckler Finisher
Marcus Wallace
Suckler Farmer Finisher
Alan Edwards
Kepak
Dairy Beef Finisher
Michael & Timothy Hurley
Dairy Farmer Finisher
D.J. Kealy
Suckler Finisher
Olivia Leech
Suckler Farmer Finisher
Harry Mellody
Liffey Meats
Dairy Beef Finisher
Sean Conroy
Dairy Farmer Finisher
Eamonn Parke
Suckler Finisher
David Golden
Suckler Farmer Finisher
David Argue
Gene Ireland Awards
Dairy Beef – Gene Ireland
Donal Shinnick
Suckler Beef – Gene Ireland
William McGrath
Award winners were identified using data held by ICBF, including the Commercial Beef Value (CBV) and a range of beef performance metrics. The awards recognise farmers who are successfully combining genetics and management practices to deliver high-performing, profitable and sustainable beef production systems.
Held in conjunction with the ICBF Tully Open Day, the Beef Quality Awards highlight the important role that farmers, processors and industry stakeholders can play in driving continued improvement across the Irish beef sector. Following the awards ceremony, attendees had the opportunity to tour the Tully Progeny Test Centre and view ongoing research and innovation projects that are helping to shape the future of Irish beef production.
ENDS
Media Contact
Erin Kennedy
Media & Communications, ICBF
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +353 86 206 3093