96 | nzdairy ON FARM » Rio Vista Farms From a side hobby to a full time career Emma Bailey Farming started as a side hobby while she was at polytechnic but soon became a full time job for Katie Roper. Her decision is already paying off as she won this year’s Dairy Trainee of the Year Runner-up Award for the Auckland and Hauraki Region at the 2025 NZ Dairy Industry Awards. Katie, 24, is the 2IC assistant manager on Ashley and Ayna Thomas’ 130ha, 500-cow property in Mercer, Pukekawa. She was delighted with the placing after coming third last year. She aims to be in a manager position with the ultimate goal of farm ownership. It is her second year of dairy farming. “It started as a side hobby from Wintec where I was studying sports science and I thought this is so much better so I left and have never looked back.” She then spent three years on two dairy goat farms before moving onto dairy cows. “I just want to get as many skills as I can so I branched out. I definitely recommend it as a career, I love the fact you are always outdoors, not everyday is the same and it is so hands on.” While she didn’t grow up on a farm she did grow up in the rural town of Te Aroha. As for her next steps in the next few years she would like to move onto being a contract milker or share milker, ideally at the Thomas’ property. “Ashley and Anya have been 100 per cent supportive they even came along to the dairy awards night. They are always encouraging me to learn as much as I can and now I’m doing a level 4 dairy farming apprenticeship through Primary ITO.” She is enjoying her study especially as it is applicable on farm. “We try it on farm then write about it. I’ve enjoyed learning about the pasture management side of things.” She also enjoys managing the Halter electronic collars. “I use it daily especially with the pasture management.” Two years ago she joined the North Waikato Young Farmers which has been invaluable. “It’s amazing to meet with young people coming up in the industry. We go out and have monthly Katie is the 2IC assistant manager on Ashley and Ayna Thomas’ 130ha, 500-cow property in Mercer. meetings. It’s nice to have your own community that understands that you work long hours, which can be isolating, but we always make time to catch up. “If you need help in your work there is always advice that you wouldn’t find in a book anywhere. Everyone has their own way of farming.” This year she joined the committee as the new members’ liaison. Anya said Katie is a great asset to their dairy operation at Rio Vista Farms. “She is motivated to learn and absorbs then “Katie has now taken sole charge of all the compliance and reporting on farm. It’s awesome to see her grow and develop into a confident and capable dairy farmer.” Proud partner of Rio Vista Farms applies new information. The competition pushed Katie outside her comfort zone, where she found the panel interview of general industry questions, the most challenging. “Katie has now taken sole charge of all the compliance and reporting on farm. It’s awesome to see her grow and develop into a confident and capable dairy farmer.” 2 Satco Drive, Tokoroa PH. (07) 886 6413 TOTAL ANIMAL CARE FOR THE SOUTH WAIKATO 75 Tirau Street, Putaruru PH. (07) 883 3018 109 State Highway 30, Whakamaru PH. (07) 882 8685 FARM ANIMAL SERVICES • SMALL ANIMAL SERVICES • DAIRY RESOURCES
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