The Ranch Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of a 150 to 200 head open grazing cattle ranch. The role ensures effective livestock care, grazing management, pasture utilization, infrastructure upkeep, staff supervision, and compliance with animal welfare, environmental, and biosecurity standards. The manager acts as the operational backbone and quality controller for all ranch activities, ensuring smooth, consistent, and productive operations.
- Monitor the health, condition, and behavior of all cattle daily (visual inspections, body condition scoring, injury checks).
- Implement a rotating grazing plan—moving cattle between paddocks according to forage availability and seasonal patterns.
- Ensure all cattle have safe access to clean water at all times.
- Maintain accurate livestock records: births, deaths, treatments, movements, breeding activities.
- Assist with calving observation and emergency interventions (spot difficult labours early).
- Coordinate veterinary visits; administer routine vaccinations, dipping, deworming, and minor treatments as instructed.
- Identify signs of disease, parasite burden, lameness, and stress early and escalate immediately.
- Oversee bull management—breeding timing, separating or reintroducing as required.
- Manage weaning cycles and assess calf growth rates.
- Plan and execute cattle counts daily and weekly. GRAZING & PASTURE MANAGEMENT
- Assess pasture conditions and grass cover daily; determine when to move the herd.
- Maintain grazing maps and rotation schedules.
- Identify areas needing rest, slashing, bush control, or controlled burning (when applicable).
- Work closely with the ranch manager to implement long-term pasture improvement strategies.
- Prevent overgrazing and ensure sustainable carrying capacity.
- Oversee maintenance and function of all ranch infrastructure, including:
Boreholes, solar pumps, troughs, dams, and wells. Fences—barbed wire, electric fencing, gates, corner posts. Cattle handling facilities—kraals, loading ramps, chutes, crushes.
- Staff housing, stores, equipment rooms, and storerooms.
- Report any breakdowns immediately and ensure timely repairs.
- Supervise herdsmen, security personnel, and general workers.
- Allocate daily tasks and monitor completion.
- Enforce timekeeping, discipline, and productivity standards.
- Conduct weekly briefings and daily check-ins. Train workers on animal handling, safety, and ranch procedures.
- Foster teamwork, communication, and accountability among staff.
- Handle minor disciplinary issues and escalate major ones.
- Prevent cattle theft, straying, or unauthorized sales.
- Maintain secure herd movement logs.
- Monitor staff conduct and ensure ethical behavior.
- Coordinate with local community leaders on security matters.
- Inspect boundary lines and patrol vulnerable zones regularly.
- Enforce safe animal-handling procedures.
- Maintain clean kraals, dip tanks (if applicable), and storage areas.
- Ensure staff use protective gear when needed.
- Quarantine new animals or sick cattle when instructed.
- Liaise respectfully with local chiefs, headmen, and surrounding communities. Report community concerns to management immediately.
- Ensure cattle do not encroach on farms, fields, or protected areas.
- Support compliance with Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock regulations. Identify needs for medicines, tools, fencing material, and equipment.
Required Skills
- Strong understanding of livestock husbandry (feeding, breeding, health).
- Familiarity with indigenous breeds and their behavior.
- Knowledge of grassland ecology and grazing patterns.
- Ability to inspect and repair simple ranch infrastructure (fences, troughs, sheds).
- Basic veterinary care competence (first aid for cattle).
- Ability to ride a motorbike (added advantage).
- Smartphone literacy for reporting.
Qualifications
- Minimum 3–5 years experience working with cattle in a ranching or large-farm environment.
- Certificate or diploma in agriculture, animal science, or related field (preferred, not mandatory).
- Proven experience supervising staff in rural settings.
- Experience with open grazing systems highly desirable.
- Demonstrated ability in livestock record keeping and reporting.
