Danille and Mitch determined to make their life on the land

WORKING on the land runs deeply in Danille and Mitchell Koster’s veins, So much so, the young farmers have bought their own property.

Young graziers Danille and Mitch Koster. Picture: Ali Kuchel

WORKING on the land runs deeply in Danille and Mitchell Koster's veins, So much so, the young farmers have bought their own property.

Farming's a tough gig, especially when the land, machinery and stock aren't passed down through the family, but that's not stopping the Koster's from doing what they love.

Danille grew up on her family's 10,100-hectare (25,000-acre) cattle station near St George, helping on the farm as a youngster, while Mitchell grew up in Tasmania, often working on farms during his holidays.

But after completing her agricultural science at the University of Gatton last year, the 22-year-old said she wanted to be back on the land.

"We both share the same goal of wanting to own our own property that's big enough to sustain both of us," Danille said.

"But for now we've both got our own off-farm work to try and work towards it."

Danille and Mitchell bought 'Yandooya', a 182-ha (450-acre) property at Buaraba.

While the farm originally belonged to Danille's grandmother, then Danille's father, the young graziers have had to purchase the land to start their dreams.

"Grandma and granddad bought the farm in 1935, they lived here and dad grew up here," Danille said.

"When grandma passed away, dad owned it and now we've just bought it off him.

"I always wanted to be out on the farm, I've been really blessed I've never had to live in town, and that's what I've always wanted."

Life on the land has always been a goal for Danille. Photo Ali Kuchel / Gatton Star. Picture: Ali Kuchel

Currently, Danille and Mitchell run about 20 head of Brangus breeders, gradually building up their numbers, as well as agisting some cattle in Chinchilla.

And although they're starting from scratch, Danille wouldn't have it any other way.

"I think a lot of younger people are keen to get into it (grazing), because their parents kind of have, but because of the cost of the land and that kind of stuff, it's got its challenges," Danille said.

"We're really blessed to have mum and dad that have supported us a little bit to try and get it to work."

When Danille and Mitchell first moved to Yandooya about 18 months ago, they started their property with a crop of sorghum for hay.

They planted about three hectares of sorghum, and managed to fill their hayshed.

 "We don't have all the gear, but we've got really nice neighbours that are happy to help out," Danille said.

 "Part of being a young person, we're a bit limited and there's a lot of stuff we want to do here to improve the place," Danille said.

"But financially we've just got to prioritise and do it gradually, we're slowly getting there but it doesn't just happen overnight."

They're growing with the changes, seeing many farmers using drone technology to assist their farming requirements and the new legislative ways with NLIS tagging.

This year, Danille was a finalist in the CRT Agricultural Community Achiever Awards.

 "I felt like I have only just started to get into the community things here, but out at home (St George) we would always try get out and about," she said.

 "It just highlighted to me the blogs and that kind of stuff people do read them and recognise them," she said.