Wayne L. Conard (67) of Sharon Springs, NY, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025, after a courageous battle with leukemia.
He was born in Princeton, NJ on December 14th, 1957, the first-born child of Willis S. and Patricia (Martin) Conard. In 1969 the family moved to Sharon Springs where they established Ridgedale Farm. He graduated from Canajoharie High School in 1976 where he was active in FFA, earning the NYS FFA Empire Degree, The American Degree and was named a National Star Farmer. He attended SUNY Cobleskill for a semester before leaving to pursue his cattle breeding and farming passions.
His parents allowed him time away from Ridgedale to work and learn from cattle industry experts including: The R. Austin Backus Company, Tom Coyne, and Hanover Hill Sales; these experiences also inspired him to attend auctioneering school, a skill he used throughout his life. Many times a master-showman, Wayne became a trusted leadsman for Dreamstreet, Hanover Hill, Top Acres and Elite Dairy at National Dairy Cattle Shows.
Wayne and his late brother Willis Jr. received the Klussendorf -MacKenzie award at World Dairy Expo in 1992. Later, in 2013, Wayne received the coveted 72nd Klussendorf Trophy, the highest recognition given to a dairy cattle showman in the U.S., awarded by his peers.
Under Wayne’s leadership, Ridgedale Farm captured the 1987 All-Canadian Breeder’s Herd award for Best Three Females and was the first U.S. herd to claim that honor. In 1988 the Conards received the prestigious NYS Master Breeder Award and later received the same honor a second time with the next generation of Conards in 2019. The farm has enjoyed numerous cattle show winnings and he bred and developed multiple All-NY and All-American nominees and winners. Ridgedale’s cattle bloodlines attracted customers from across the globe with cattle being marketed to destinations such as: Canada, Chile, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland and Australia.
Also under Wayne’s guidance, Ridgedale has, for decades, been one of the highest BAA Holstein herds in the U.S., currently at 112.3. He and his family have bred 449 Excellent cows over the years, including 41 at EX-94, 8 at EX-95 and 2 at EX-96. Together with Tararidge, Wayne also bred the world’s first EX-97 Red and White Holstein bull, Sir Ridgedale Rustler-RED, impacting cattle breeding around the world. Wayne also was the first breeder to develop four consecutive generations of EX-95 cows, all bearing the Ridgedale prefix (Example/Estelle/Estel/Elysian).
Together with his family, Wayne has also grown Ridgedale’s land base to 750 acres, purchasing 5 neighboring farms over the past 25 years to expand the business through crop sales including corn, soybeans and hay. In 2020 and 2023 he received regional production awards from the NYS Corn and Soybean Growers Association.
Wayne has been a long-time member of the NYS Holstein Association and the OHM Holstein Club; a past NYHA Show Committee member, and a member of the planning board for the Town of Canajoharie. He also served as an advocate for the NY Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health NYCAMH after a roll-over bar saved his life while hauling grain.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jennifer K. Conard who he met at the NYS Fair and married on 2/25/1995; son Wayne Cyrus Conard (Morgan); son Isaac C. Conard; three grandchildren: Liam, Keaton and Raife; sister Amy Monk; nieces Hannah (Anthony) Sirianni, Rochelle (Chris) Bailey, Juli (Tim) Myers; nephew Bill (Lisa) Conard; grandnieces/nephews: Ivy and Sage Bailey, Canyon and Faith Myers, Avary and Edie Conard; father-in-law Paul Kelly; brother-in-law Matthew Kelly (Theresa); nephews Ethan and Seth Kelly. Wayne was predeceased by his parents, as well as his brother, Willis S. Conard, Jr.
A memorial service, along with opportunity for “story-sharing” will be held on Sunday, May 18th at 1 pm at the Stone Barn at Beardslee Farm at 124 Snells Bush Rd, Little Falls, NY 13365. Following the service, all are welcome to join the family for visitation and light refreshments. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
Any floral arrangements should be directed to the family at 232 Maring Rd, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. For those wishing to make a contribution in Wayne’s memory, please make checks payable to the OHM Holstein Club.
