Sienna Barltrop

For Sienna Barltrop, a career in agriculture started much earlier than most. While other young teenagers were spending their weekends relaxing, she was out working in the milking shed. Born in Christchurch and raised just outside of Hamilton, Sienna has always possessed a strong work ethic. She describes herself in three simple words: determined, strong minded, and respectful. These qualities are serving her well as she takes on a new challenge as an apprentice with Pāmu. 

Roots in the Waikato 

Sienna attended Hamilton Girls High School, but her true classroom was always out in the paddocks. Her stepdad introduced her to the reality of farming when she was young, and she immediately took to the rural lifestyle. Her parents helped her find this passion and constantly encouraged her to stick with it. This solid family support led to her first official job on a dairy farm in Ruawaro when she was only thirteen years old. 

Working on a dairy farm at that age requires serious commitment. It means early morning starts, learning how to put the cups on, and understanding the daily routine of a milking herd. Sienna did not shy away from the hard work. She also credits her boss from her last dairy farming job as a major role model in the industry. He taught her much of what she knows today, and she still looks up to him as a benchmark for good farming practice. 

The Move to Pāmu 

Stepping into the Pāmu apprenticeship programme meant stepping out of her comfort zone. On her first day at the station, Sienna admits she felt nervous but excited to get started. Her motivation for joining the programme was very clear. She wants to make a good name for herself in the agricultural sector. 

She saw that working for a large-scale operation like Pāmu would teach her the practical steps she needs to become a better farmer. It provides an extra step towards success by combining daily farm work with the opportunity to learn completely new systems. 

A Shift to Sheep and Beef 

Until recently, Sienna only knew how to be a dairy farmer. The routines of a milking shed were second nature to her. What interests her most about her current role is the chance to explore completely different sides of farming, specifically sheep and beef. Moving from flat dairy land to working with different animals in steep terrain is a massive change. 

"I enjoy exploring all sides to farming," she notes. "I have never had exposure to livestock outside of dairy, and I love learning all there is to know about it." 

This exposure to drystock farming has completely shifted her perspective on her own future. Five months ago, her goal was to keep working on a dairy farm and simply do her best. Now, her vision has expanded. In five years, she can clearly see herself living and working on a steep hill country station. While she does not currently own any working dogs, she already knows that if she chooses the sheep and beef path permanently, she would love to breed and train a big team of dogs to work the hills with her. 

Engines and the Outdoors 

Farming suits Sienna perfectly because she has never enjoyed sitting at a desk or doing online work. She prefers to be physically occupied outdoors, tackling practical jobs that teach her more about the trade. She learns best by doing the work with her own hands. 

When she is not working on the farm, her love for the outdoors and machinery continues. She enjoys riding dirt bikes and spending time hanging out with her mates. She also has a strong, lifelong interest in heavy trucks. Her dad is a truck driver, and one of her absolute favourite things to do outside of farming is going for long road trips in the truck with him. This connection to engines and transport is a natural fit for a farmer, as operating heavy machinery is a daily requirement on any large station. 

Looking to the Future 

Sienna is keeping her options open as she continues her apprenticeship. She approaches her daily tasks with a highly positive attitude, looking forward to learning new things, whether those tasks are hard or easy. Her main goal right now is to gain all the practical skills and the formal qualifications she needs to secure a strong leadership role in the future. 

Because she is enjoying her exposure to both dairy and drystock, she has two very clear dream roles in mind. If she decides to return to the dairy sector, she wants to become a farm manager, specifically running a herringbone shed operation. However, if she decides to stay with sheep and beef, her ultimate goal is to become a head shepherd on a large station.