A husband and wife farming team were announced as the winners of the Keinzley AgVet Wairarapa Sheep and Beef Farm Business of the Year 2024 award on Friday night.
Sheep and beef farmers Simon and Katie Falloon’s Waipuke Farm is found on Waitawhiti Rd in Tiraumea.
The award judges said they were collectively “impressed” with the “strong husband and wife team” whose business made a significant contribution to the sheep and beef industry.
They commended the couple’s pathway to ownership, which progressed from shepherding to farm management and leasing, and into ownership through an equity partnership.
The judges noted that both their relationship-building and performance had supported the ownership process, making them sought-after employees.
The team’s outstanding physical production put their financial performance comfortably in the top 25 per cent of BakerAg Financial Analysis Benchmarking.
The Falloon’s “management ability built up through their journey is very intuitive and done with a great understanding of the land and the livestock,” the judges said.
“This is a fantastic achievement and an exceptional story for the industry.”
There will be a public field day held at Waipuke Farm on April 10.
The awards were held at Masterton’s Le Gra Vineyard.
