How to become A Rancher

There are countless images of Ranchers and ranch life in our popular culture, from movies to books to artworks. Yet, none of these mediums can fully encapsulate the joy of raising prime cattle for public consumption on one’s own piece of land.

• Livestock Rancher
• Cattle Rancher
• Ranch Hand
• Wrangler

What does a Rancher do?

A Rancher would typically need to:

• Monitor and manage the breeding and sale of livestock such as chickens, cows and pigs to guarantee consistently high production averages 
• Ensure that livestock are fed and cared for in optimal living conditions
• Assist in the birthing, shearing, docking, branding, tagging and neutering of livestock
• Construct and maintain needful structures around the ranch; repair machinery, water pipes, animal shelters and fences, when required
• Maintain the land of the ranch so it can continue to accommodate the needs of the livestock  
• Develop critical policies and rules; ensure they are followed by making everyone accountable
• Groom the livestock to avoid potential pests or illnesses; call for veterinarians when required, especially in the case of larger animals 
• Develop annual strategic plans; negotiate prices with buyers and butchers when selling animal products or livestock
• Keep detailed records of ranch finances; develop balance sheets, historical profit & loss statements and projected cash flow budgets to convince lenders
• Select and acquire sophisticated technology that will give a good return on investment (ROI)
• Use digital programs and platforms such as spreadsheets and databases to ensure smooth operation of the ranch
• Leverage the data gathered from digital tracking of feed conversion, daily gains or per cent bodyweight weaned to make management decisions 
• Retain detailed records of livestock, machinery, supplies, feed, and other variables on the ranch 
• Butcher livestock as scheduled if meat is sold personally and not via a butchery 
• Make and sell dairy products, if operating a dairy farm where products are sold directly to customers 
• Research, choose and write a suitable marketing plan; market and advertise the ranch at relevant outlets 
• Negotiate with banks and other financial institutions for loans to buy livestock and maintain/expand the ranch

Ranchers usually live in a ranch house on-site; sometimes, ranches include housing options for their family as well. Ranchers often have to work outdoors through harsh weather to ensure the land and livestock are secure and thriving. Depending on your role and the ranch, you may need to spend some time doing the paperwork, making calls and attending meetings in an office. 

Ranchers work full-time, with most having to put in more than forty hours per week to ensure the proper running of the ranch. The nature of their job demands that they work from dawn to dusk throughout the year. The calving season and emergencies may need them to be ready to attend a birthing at any time of the day or night.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Ranchers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Ranchers are generally employed by:

• Farms 
• Ranches

Professional associations and organisations, such as the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) and The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), are crucial for Ranchers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. 

Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications. Search for local and national chapters of such professional organisations that you can join. 

• Physically exhausting work that needs to be done outdoors come rain or shine
• Likelihood of safety and health risks from working with and alongside heavy machinery and chemicals
• High probability of injuries and health issues due to repetitive movements
• A fickle economic market 
• The need to keep abreast of new technological advances in the field

Work experience proves indispensable as a means of understanding the complex and demanding nature of ranching. Aspiring Ranchers may prefer to complete a one- to two-year-long hands-on intensive apprenticeship instead of pursuing formal education.

Most experienced Ranchers are open to taking on apprentices, especially those who aim to engage in sustainable ranching and pass on their hard-won knowledge to future generations. Furthermore, they can offer dedicated mentorship and advice when you are ready to set up your own ranch.

If you are struggling to find apprenticeships, then volunteer or intern at a ranch or a farm. Similarly, reading extensively about ranching or interviewing experienced Ranchers can also be enlightening and informative.

Work experience gained via jobs where you engage in construction work, fencing or operate heavy machinery can also be helpful. You will gain transferable skills that will come in very handy when working on a ranch.

Though formal education beyond a high school diploma was not required, the complexities and costs of the industry are driving an increasing number of aspiring Ranchers to seek an associate or bachelor’s degree in farming, agriculture, ranch management or business (with a concentration in agriculture) from accredited trade and vocational schools, community colleges and universities. 

Some locations have government-incentivised state and public university programs to encourage students to learn how to care for animals, operate machinery, hire employees and market products. 

Ideally, the programs mentioned above allow students to gain familiarity with ranch and feedlot operations or agricultural business. They specialise in ranch management, principles of feeding and care, animal and meat marketing, new ranching technology, agricultural economics and animal health. 

While not necessary, certification in business and finance management, leadership, negotiation, communication, and organisational skills can help you distinguish yourself from your peers.

A relevant bachelor’s degree and around four years of related work experience may qualify you as a bonafide farm manager and rural appraiser. Such certification will give you access to marketing data, consultation, management skills and educational advancement. Being certified deepens your confidence and indicates your preparedness to potential employers. Check-in with your local authorities to determine whether you can gain certification from local and national organisations.

Most Ranchers choose to continue working for a more established setup until they can branch out independently. The size of the farm may determine whether they get promoted to roles with more responsibility.

Experience and business acumen drive the career progression of Ranchers who may opt to start their own spread once they gather enough knowledge and funds. The demanding nature of the job and the considerable finances required means that one does not propose such a move very early in their career. 

Ranchers with appropriate work experience, knowledge, certifications and recommendations have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Rancher build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. 

Attend conferences and festivities hosted by local, national and international farming and ranching organisations and societies to exchange knowledge and ideas, network and rediscover valuable resources.

Seek out or form advisory groups comprising people you respect to help review your operation and decide on vital strategies and investments.

In a Nutshell

The concept of raising large herds of animals started around 1000 CE in Portugal and Spain. Many of the methods used by these earlier Ranchers are still in practice today; horses are still used on ranches for herding, cattle drives, branding and round-ups.

Spanish and Portuguese explorers and settlers took cattle and their cattle-raising expertise to the Americas or the New World. Today, diverse ranching traditions thrive across the world depending on the explorers’ country of origin and the characteristics of the land where they settled.

Which One Might You Prefer?

As a Rancher, you might have your own area of speciality. While you must remain versatile and know a little about everything regarding life on a ranch, you can build on your knowledge in any of the following categories. 

You can primarily work with oversight and maintenance of the ranch itself. The daily upkeep includes building and repairing fences, maintaining the different ranch buildings, mowing grass, baling hay and ensuring the livestock and land are not at peril.

On ranches where cow-calf raising is a primary occupation, Ranchers specialise in caring for calves until they are ready to be sold or butchered. They keep track of breeding and calving, learn basic veterinary skills to assist in the birthing of calves, take care of calves and treat basic wounds of the livestock. 

On ranchers that focus on raising livestock to sell or butcher them, Ranchers work as cowboys. Their responsibilities include herding cattle from one pasture to another, caring for and protecting livestock from wild animals and poachers and providing basic veterinary care. Ranchers in livestock ranches also play an essential role in herding/transporting cattle for sale to slaughterhouses. 

Some Ranchers work as horse wranglers on ranches where horses are used for transportation or ranch maintenance. Wranglers dedicate their time to breeding, caring, and training horses and are familiar with basic veterinary practices.

When It's Time to Setup Your Own Ranch

Ensure the ranch that you aim to establish has firm foundations - quality land and livestock. Hire people who will adapt to your vision and requirements, even if they cannot claim to have much experience. Always pay attention to details, especially the minor ones, such as staying on top of paperwork, regular care of the animals, and proper ranch maintenance, so your venture pans out as planned.

Size Matters

Tasks and responsibilities on a ranch differ based on the size of the ranch. Smaller spreads which may even be a one-person operation will have you donning multiple hats. You will be responsible for maintenance, machinery service, feeding animals, and raising animals, among a score of other equally vital tasks.

Larger farms and ranches can afford to have different departments to monitor diverse facets. While agricultural workers would look after the animals and crops, office workers would take care of the books and manage advertising and marketing. Still, others would focus on truck driving and information technology. 

There are 93.8 million beef cattle in the US, and the number of beef cows is three times higher than the number of milk cows. 

The sleepless nights, the back-breaking work, the bone-chilling tasks and the nightmarish bills fade into insignificance in the face of the joy and satisfaction Ranchers gain from knowing that they contribute to the economy while bringing wholesome food to thousands of tables.

Make sure to surround yourself with experienced Ranchers and get their advice on working on a ranch or how to operate a ranch. Since they have been in the business for a long time, they have a lot of wisdom to share.