NZ Dairy Winter 2021

36 | nz dairy DAIRY AWARDS » Reuben & Deb Connolly Awards process ‘fantastic opportunity’ Richard Loader P roving that patience is a very much a virtue rewarded with success, Reuben and Deb Connolly have taken home the Share Farmer of the Year award, along with four merits at this years Waikato dairy Industry Awards. The couple then went on to achieve Runner Up at the National Awards. Reuben and Deb, who are in their ninth season dairy farming, first entered the Share Farmer of the Year award last year, finishing in the top five contestants. Deb says the key driver to enter the awards was to examine their business and themselves, to dis- cover what things were going well and what things could be improved on. “The award’s process is a fantastic opportunity to have industry professionals analyse your busi- ness and offer valuable feedback. Last year they also provided feedback as to how we could better present the evidence of what we do everyday.” Proud to have achieved Share Farmer Runner-Up at the National awards, Reuben says one of the best things was the opportunity to get to know the other regional winners at Nationals Week. “They’re a really awesome bunch of farmers and we are happy for everyone, whatever happened on the night.” Currently 50/50 sharemilking and equity partners with John and Fiona Worsnop in Otorohanga, Reu- ben and Deb’s success at the Dairy Industry Awards has been perfectly timed. “The farm we are on is sold and we’ve secured a one-year lease,” says Reuben. • to page 37 Photos: Reuben and Deb Connolloy with daughters Laura (6) , Vanessa (5), Zoe (3) and Isla (18 months). 2IC Leah Connolly and daughter Laura going for a ride over the farm. Purebred Hereford stud at the runoff, helping to maintain the Connolly’s completely closed herd. Happy calves feeding. 6 Te Kanawa Street, Otorohanga p: 07 873 7273 e: sales@otorohonda.co.nz Otorohonda | King Country Honda | Honda First Proudly supporting Reuben & Deb Connolly www. o t o r o h o n d a . c o . n z COVERING THE KING COUNTRY & WAIKATO Raewyn Cunliffe & Russell Murphy Ultra-Scan King Country 021 452 624 CALL US FOR: Accurate dating • Same day reports • No mileage or farm visit charges Ou r p r ima r y f o c u s i s S CANN I NG We would like to congratulate our clients Reuben & Deb Connolly, winners of the NZDIA Waikato Share Farmer of the Year Award 2021 Offices in Otorohanga, Te Awamutu & Taumarunui www.baileyingham.co.nz | info@baileyingham.co.nz We congratulate Reuben and Deb on their farming success