The Farmers Fast Five: where we ask a farmer five quick questions about agriculture, and what farming means to them. Today we talk to Sarah Crossen.

Name: Sarah Crossen

Location: Peebles North Otago

The Farmers Fast Five: where we ask a farmer five quick questions about agriculture, and what farming means to them.

Today we chat to North Otago dairy farmer Sarah Crossen.

1. What did your journey into farming look like?

I had no family connection to dairy farming, I grew up on a sheep, beef and arable farm just south of Timaru.

I went Dairy farming in 2016 as a relief milker then started full time farming in the 2017/2018 season

2.Tell us a little bit about your farming operation.

I am on a dairy farm in Peebles, north of Oamaru with 1200 cows.

3.What challenges have you faced in your farming business, and how have you tackled those challenges?

Weather events like flooding have made me more resilient.Also being a female in a male dominant industry when I first started was challenging. Often you would get overlooked by contractors entering the farm because “you’re just a female you possibly couldn't be capable of knowing what's happening on farm”.I got through this by showing up with a can-do attitude.

4.What has been a major highlight for you in your farming journey?

My favourite memory would be keeping calves alive in a very wet spring and seeing those calves come back to the milking herd.

My proudest achievement would have to be getting into the top five for Canterbury North Otago Dairy Manager of the Year in 2023

5. What advice would you have for the next generation of farmers?

Give anything a go, and ask questions have a can do attitude.