At just 25 years old, Farmer Belle has already built a name for herself in Australian farming. Recently crowned Queensland’s Top Young Farmer 2025, she’s running her own cattle operations in the South Burnett and proving that there’s more than one way into agriculture.
Her story isn’t one of inheritance or marrying into land. It’s about grit, hustle, setbacks and an unshakable love of farming. In the latest episode of Paddock Talk, hosts Bianca Tarrant and Dave McGiveron from Our Cow sit down with Belle to uncover how she carved out her path in the paddock, the challenges she’s faced, and the future she’s dreaming up for Aussie farming.
Belle grew up in Gippsland, Victoria, working alongside her parents and seven sisters. While most of her siblings chose other careers, Belle always gravitated back to cattle and farm work. But with no farm to inherit and no wealthy partner to lean on, she had to forge her own path.
Instead of giving up, she took every job she could, from contract milking to station work, learning the ropes of cattle farming firsthand. Eventually, she found a way to save and buy land in Queensland’s South Burnett, despite knockbacks from banks who didn’t take her income seriously at first.
Belle speaks openly about the barriers women face in the industry. From being overlooked for jobs in favour of men to working alongside people earning tens of thousands more for the same role, she’s experienced it all.
Her mindset? “I might not be as strong, but I’ll always try my hardest. You’ve just got to give it everything.”
That determination is what’s helped her stand out and succeed in an industry that often underestimates young women.
From car accidents that left her unable to work to struggling with unfair pay gaps and constant rejection from banks, Belle’s journey has been anything but smooth. But every hurdle made her more determined.
She leaned on her parents’ humour and no-nonsense attitude when dealing with criticism, learning early on to brush off negativity. “Unless you’re paying my bills, why would I listen to you?” she says.
Her resilience is a lesson for all young farmers looking to break into agriculture: setbacks are part of the story, not the end of it.
Belle is upfront about how hard it is to save for land in today’s market. With farm deposits often requiring 40-50% of the purchase price, she had to think outside the box.
Her message to aspiring farmers is clear: the dream is still possible, but you’ll need hustle, determination, and the willingness to try different income streams to make it work. Farming today is about adaptability, whether that’s trading cattle, leasing blocks, or finding new ways to generate capital.
Looking ahead, Belle dreams of starting her own stud herd, running a single breed of cattle, and creating farm stays where city families can come and experience life on the land.
She’s passionate about teaching people in a way that’s simple and relatable. Whether it’s explaining animal behaviour, showing how tractors work, or sharing why farmers make certain decisions, Belle wants to bridge the gap between the paddock and the plate.
Her vision is a future where more Australians understand the work that goes into producing food, and where young farmers, especially women, feel empowered to chase their goals.
Every Paddock Talk episode finishes with a recipe, and Belle kept it classic with her favourite comfort food: spaghetti bolognese made with Our Cow’s grass-fed beef mince.
Her secret? Load the sauce with hidden veggies, a touch of sugar, and even a squeeze of tomato sauce for that perfect balance. It’s hearty, wholesome, and a true family favourite.
👉 Click here for the full Spaghetti Bolognese recipe.
Farmer Belle’s story is proof that Australian farming is changing, and that there’s no single path into agriculture. From resilience and reinvention to dreaming big for the future, her journey is one that every farmer, foodie, and future grazier should hear.
👉 Tune in to Episode 6 of Paddock Talk with Farmer Belle and get inspired by the next generation of Aussie farmers.
Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
