Emma Rauhala

Emma is the farm manager of Scott Farm, one of DairyNZ’s research farms in the Waikato. As well as performing day-to-day tasks on-farm, she coordinates farm operations, people, and research work to ensure everything runs smoothly and efficiently.

The role brings a variety of opportunities to learn new skills - whether it is helping research technicians with large-scale trials, heading to Northland to help during the M. bovis outbreak, or travelling to Ashley Dene, a research farm in Canterbury, to help run a trial. Emma loves that it is all a chance to learn and add value to the dairy sector.

“I enjoy being outside doing practical things and working with staff, developing their skills and seeing them grow in confidence.” says Emma. “I also work with contractors and scientists, with numerous different trials on the go and a lot of things happening at once. There are always opportunities to solve problems, which keeps it challenging and exciting.”

Emma has been a part of many interesting research projects, including investigations into extended lactation, cow shade seeking behaviour, and the Forage Value Index. “Some trials are challenging and complex, with multiple herds of cows all requiring separate management. The results are always fascinating.”

Emma comes from a farming family and initially planned to become a shepherd, before being awarded a DairyNZ scholarship during her Bachelor of Agricultural Science studies at Massey University opened up the chance to join the Scott Farm team.