Shine Awards: Meet the mum behind the Champion of the World

Never one to let emotion get in the way of a business decision, this new mother is gaining international attention for her cattle breeding program.

In that classic, self-effacing style of many country women, Crystal Bell is achieving much in her personal and professional life without breaking a sweat.

A new mother to four-month-old Eva, 29-year-old Crystal and her partner Geordie Elliot are making waves in the cattle industry.

Their enterprise, Prairie Falls Murray Greys, has gained international attention for their breeding program, with one of their cows, Prairie Falls Bettina N6, earning the title of Champion of the World Other Recognised Breeds at the global competition, after recent successes at the Royal Sydney Show.

But their journey to world champion started more than a decade ago, when the then 18-year-old Crystal established her operation fresh out of high school.

“I purchased a couple of cows, and was heavily showing them from high school up until now,” Crystal said.

Crystal Bell, with four-month-old daughter Eva and partner Geordie Elliott. The new mother has recently been awarded an international title for her Murray Grey stud stock. Picture: Supplied.

Despite her passion for the Murray Grey breed, and her nostalgia for the history of her stud, Crystal is a savvy businesswoman, and won’t let emotion get in the way of making business decisions.

It’s all part of her plan to leave a legacy for the broader agriculture industry, and her own children.

“We made a big business decision in the last six to 12 months to transition to Black Simmentals,” Crystal said.

“We were finding the market doesn’t have the appetite … the market is wanting black these days, and it’s been like that for the past five to 10 years. I started this as a hobby, but now we need it to be a business.”