| 91 nzdairy Sarah’s path into dairy farming began in 2016 as a farm assistant. ON FARM » Red Bluff Farms Stock numbers are constantly changing Russell Fredric For Sarah Thorne, stepping back and seeing an entire season mapped out on a board was about more than farm performance. It was proof of how far she had come both as a dairy farm manager and in her personal life. The 2026 Northland Dairy Manager of the Year runner-up manages a 98-hectare dairy farm at Waipapa, north of Kerikeri, for Matthew Snedden. The operation milks between 250 and 500 cows and runs a split-calving system that keeps stock numbers constantly changing throughout the year. “It was really good for me to look back over a whole season and see how far I’d come because, to be a single mum and achieve this is pretty awesome.” Sarah’s path into dairy farming began in 2016 as a farm assistant. After several years contract milking, she moved into farm management and is now in her third season on the Waipapa property. The operation is far from conventional. Empty cows are purchased, mated and later sold, sometimes also calving them down prior to purchase, creating constant pressure feed and grazing management. “My cows are quite tightly managed because of the high-input system. I have to be really adaptable and change quickly.” That adaptability is essential on a farm where cow numbers can change quickly and feed demand must be carefully matched to pasture growth. On a relatively small platform, maintaining grazing discipline is critical. “It’s not a case of giving them more grass or more area. It’s calculating how much more feed input I need and still keeping my grazing round the same.” That focus helped Sarah secure the Dairy Industry Awards Pasture Management Award alongside her runner-up placing. The recognition reflects a skill she has deliberately developed since arriving on the farm. Kaikohe 401 1536 Kerikeri 407 7354 Waipapa 401 6654 Kawakawa 404 0842 Rob Titter Farm Services Ltd Repairs on all makes & models admin@r�armservices.co.nz Ph: 09 401 1774 Mobile: 027 522 6248 Kaikohe “When I came here, I’d never managed a dairy farm by myself. I’d never run a dairy farm. Matthew taught me, and I did a course through Primary ITO with feed. I didn’t realise how much goes into growing grass, but now it’s one of my passions.” Managing pasture in Northland brings its own challenges. The farm is fully under sown with ryegrass while also dealing with kikuyu, requiring careful management as the pasture base transitions through the seasons. “You need to look across the whole board. You need to look at the condition your cows are in, what they’re producing, how your grass is growing at that time of year.” The Dairy Industry Awards have also delivered benefits beyond technical development. Entering initially to support regional participation, Sarah found value in connecting with others in the industry, despite the demands of the extra time and commitment alongside her farm and family responsibilities. “The dairy industry is humongous, but sometimes you can feel a little bit lost and alone if you’re stuck on a farm working all the time. It’s nice to have the opportunity to meet other people and have that support.” Looking ahead, she can see herself moving into contract milking or a broader oversight role. Alongside the dairy farm, she also manages two lease blocks used for wintering stock. “I’ve learned to cope with things that I didn’t think I could. There are a hell of a lot of small details that go into running a dairy farm, but on the plus side I get to see the sunrises every morning, enjoy nature and be outside.”
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