Emma Millar has a passion for animal husbandry, genetics and science.
As part of its recent International Women’s Day activities, Saputo Dairy Australia profiled two inspiring young women whose journeys reflect this year’s theme, “Give to Gain.”
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Both Hayley and Emma are past recipients of SDA’s annual supplier scholarships program, which provides financial support and development opportunities to help future dairy industry leaders unlock personal and professional milestones.
Their stories are a reminder of the ripple effect that comes from acts of giving and how it can benefit individuals, as well as the broader dairy industry.
Hayley Ryan, Thirlstane (Tasmania)
Hayley Ryan is hoping to return to the family farm under a share-farming arrangement and get more involved in decision-making.
Hayley Ryan may only be 20, but she’s already got an impressive track record in dairy and a clear vision for the future of her family’s farm.
Hayley’s parents have been farming at Thirlstane on Tasmania’s north-west coast, since the late 1990s, originally in vegetable production.
However, after several difficult seasons, they made the move to dairy after buying a neighbour’s property.
The family now has three connected farms, a new 25-a-side, double-up rapid exit dairy (built around 2019), and are milking around 560 cross-bred cows.
Hayley received her Saputo Supplier Scholarship in 2024, during her Certificate IV in Agriculture and Diploma of Applied Agronomy at Longerenong Agricultural College.
After completing her study, she accepted a 12‑month agronomy internship that took her from Naracoorte in South Australia to Richmond in Tasmania and onto New Zealand.
On completing her agronomy internship, she decided to further her education and is now studying a Bachelor of Business (Agriculture) at Marcus Oldham College in Geelong, combining practical experience with farm business management, economics and accounting.
And after that, there’s a clear plan ahead.
She sees herself returning to the family farm in a sharefarming arrangement and becoming a lot more involved in decision-making for the business.
“I’m really passionate about this industry because at the end of the day, the world needs feeding.”
Emma Millar, Woodside (Victoria)
Growing up on her parents’ dairy farm at Woodside in Victoria’s Gippsland region, Emma Millar, 24, always had a passion for animal husbandry, genetics and science.
The family milks around 320-350 Holsteins, with Emma working alongside her Mum in the calf shed, feeding and raising the next generation of the herd.
She steps into the dairy when needed and happily floats between roles on-farm.
Emma applied for the Saputo supplier scholarship with the encouragement of her family.
“Mum and dad had read about it in the newsletter and suggested it was something I should go for,” she said.
“And I was lucky enough to be selected.”
That was 2021, when Emma was in her second year of a Bachelor of Veterinary and Wildlife Science at Federation University’s Churchill campus.
The scholarship helped ease the financial load of university and enabled her to live on-campus and participate in additional excursions.
Since finishing her degree, Emma has also completed a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and is now enjoying her work as a vet nurse in a mixed practice.
Yet, she still comes home on weekends to help out on the farm.
“I really like animal husbandry and I do miss the cows.”
Hayley and Emma’s experiences highlight the value of fostering capability, confidence and opportunity within the dairy industry.
Applications for SDA’s Supplier Scholarship Program open each November, continuing a commitment to support supplier partners and back the next generation of dairy leaders.
The 2026 recipients will be announced in the coming months.
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