How to become a Beef Cattle Farmer

Also called: Beef Cattle Farm Manager, Beef Cattle Grazier, Beef Cattle Station Manager

Plans, organises, controls, coordinates and performs farming operations to breed and raise beef cattle for meat and breeding stock.

Main tasks

• Plans, organises and coordinates the breeding and raising of beef cattle for meat and breeding stock
• Organises feeding, watering, herding, breeding, calving and administration of vaccinations and medications for beef cattle
• Directs and oversees general beef cattle farming infrastructure, including the provision and maintenance of fences, sheds, pens and water supply systems
• Manages pasture and grazing systems for optimal cattle nutrition and growth
• Monitors and maintains the health, welfare and condition of beef cattle, including managing biosecurity strategies and other risks
• Organises the purchase, sale and transportation of beef cattle for meat and breeding purposes
• Maintains and evaluates records of beef cattle farming activities, monitors market activity, and plans production
• Manages beef cattle farm business capital, including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management
• May select, train and supervise beef cattle farm workers and contractors
• May manage the operation of feedlots, including optimising feed efficiency and nutrition, waste management and sustainable land use

Ways in

• University: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 27 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Diploma of Agribusiness Management (AHC51422); Diploma of Agriculture (AHC50122); Certificate IV in Agribusiness (AHC41024); Certificate IV in Agriculture (AHC40122)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• About 78,900 people work in this job group now, and about 79,800 are projected by 2035. (+1.2%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Apiarist
• Dairy Cattle Farmer
• Mixed Cattle and Sheep Farmer
• Sheep Farmer
• Goat Farmer
• Horse Breeder

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Beef Cattle Farmer?

Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Diploma of Agribusiness Management; Diploma of Agriculture.

Is a Beef Cattle Farmer a growing career in Australia?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 78,900 people now and 79,800 later (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Beef Cattle Farmer?

Usually not. Only 15% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Diploma of Agribusiness Management; Diploma of Agriculture.

Will AI change the work of a Beef Cattle Farmer?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04