When Shannon Fry rolls up in her Ranger ute at Cleardale Station, dogs on the back and a pair of mud-splattered pink band boots, you’d never guess she once spent her days in a dance studio.

“I’m from Christchurch originally. I had a very city upbringing,” she says.

“I was a competitive dancer from the age of two to twenty – so it was a big chunk of my younger life.”

Despite growing up in suburbia in tap shoes instead of gumboots, Fry got a taste for rural life early, visiting her cousins' farm on Banks Peninsula as a child.

“I’d spend a lot of time there during holidays and weekends, moving sheep across the block and pulling wool off the board.”

At just seven years old, Fry told her parents she wanted to become a farmer.

“I just loved being outdoors.”

That childhood dream stuck.

In 2021, she graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Lincoln University. While studying, she gained practical experience on the  sheep and beef property in Kaikōura her partner Billy Bartrum’s family  managed, mentored by his father, Kurt.

“I used to go up there while I was at uni to get hands-on experience. I knew a bit, but I was still pretty green, so I was thankful for the opportunity to gain some experience.”

After university, Fry landed a job as a shepherd at Cleardale Station – a 1,700-hectare stud sheep and angus beef farm in the Rakaia Gorge, owned by Ben Todhunter and Donna Field.

“Everyone at Cleardale has been so helpful and willing to teach. I’ve learned from everyone on the team.”

After more than three years on the farm, Fry stepped into the role of genetics manager last October – a position that’s ignited a passion.

“It’s cool seeing the younger animals coming through and learning about the genetics behind what we’re working on – and what they were working on before I arrived.

“It’s great seeing those key traits we’re driving for coming through – whether it’s temperament in the bulls, foot rot resistance, or lower micron wool in the sheep.”

As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Fry says she hasn’t encountered much resistance.

“When I left Lincoln, a few people warned me that some might be hesitant to hire a female – not because you couldn’t do the job, but because you might not ‘fit the system.’ Sure, there’s a strength difference, but I haven’t had any issues.

“There are so many females in the industry now – it’s good.”

She says there was no bias in her hiring at Cleardale.

“It wasn’t about being male or female – it was about the best person for the job.”

Animal welfare is a core value for Fry.

“Whether it’s stock or dogs, looking after your animals is really important.”

Her four working dogs are treated like family. She credits Kurt Bartrum for helping her get started with dog handling.

“Kurt was very generous. When I left Lincoln, he gifted me three dogs –  two huntaway’s and a heading dog. I’d worked with them during holidays, learning their commands and how to use them.”

She brought those dogs with her to Cleardale.

“They were older and knew what they were doing, so I learned a lot from them – stockmanship, where to put myself to help the flow. Dogs aren’t silly. They can read a situation.”

Her dogs have coats, insulated kennels, foam beds, and are well fed on meat, biscuits and Mighty Mix frozen concentrate.

“They’re not just a tool for my job – they’re part of the family.

“I look after them, and they look after me. All they want to do is please me, so of course I’m going to care for them.”

Fry finds training new dogs incredibly rewarding.

“I started with a really good team, and now I’m training younger ones to come through. Spending time in the training pen and seeing it all pay off at work – it feels really good.

“I think the first time Pimm did something for me, I filmed it. I couldn’t believe she was doing it.”

Now several months into her new role, Fry is enjoying the challenge.

“I’m still learning as I go, and there’s so much more to learn – but I just really want to get stuck into it.”

Her advice for others starting out in agriculture?

“There are going to be hard days – but there are hard days in any job, in any industry. Some days feel tougher than the day before, but you just push through – and the next day is better.”

by Claire Inkson