Ranch Manager Resume examples & templates
Copyable Ranch Manager Resume examples
Ever wondered what it takes to manage thousands of acres, hundreds of animals and a team of cowboys all while keeping an eye on the weather and commodity markets? Ranch managers are the unsung heroes of America's $66 billion cattle industry, balancing traditional agricultural know-how with modern business acumen. The job has evolved dramatically in the past decade—today's successful ranch managers aren't just skilled in animal husbandry and pasture rotation; they're savvy with technology, sustainability practices and financial planning.
The demand for skilled ranch managers has grown by 17% since 2018, particularly for those familiar with regenerative agriculture techniques. Many operations now seek managers who can implement carbon sequestration practices while maintaining profitability. Whether you're working a family cattle operation in Wyoming or managing a corporate-owned horse breeding facility in Kentucky, the core skills remain similar: leadership, problem-solving and adaptability. As climate challenges intensify and consumer preferences shift toward sustainably-raised livestock, tomorrow's ranch managers will need to be even more versatile—blending time-honored practices with cutting-edge innovations.
Junior Ranch Manager Resume Example
Jake Harrison
Tucson, AZ | (520) 555-2184 | jharrison@emailpro.net | linkedin.com/in/jakeharrison
Hands-on ranch manager with practical experience in livestock management, pasture rotation, and facility maintenance. Skilled in herd health protocols and basic veterinary care. Quick learner who combines traditional ranching methods with sustainable practices. Eager to grow professionally while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and operational efficiency.
EXPERIENCE
Assistant Ranch Manager | Diamond Creek Ranch | Tucson, AZ | March 2023 – Present
- Oversee daily care of 127 head of cattle, including feeding, health monitoring, and administering medications
- Manage 4 seasonal ranch hands during calving season and busy summer months
- Implemented a rotational grazing system that reduced feed costs by 14% while improving pasture health
- Maintain ranch equipment including 2 tractors, ATVs, and various farm implements
- Coordinate with veterinarians for herd health programs and emergency medical situations
Ranch Hand | Sunset Valley Cattle Co. | Phoenix, AZ | June 2022 – February 2023
- Assisted with daily feeding operations and pasture rotation for 200+ cattle
- Performed basic fence repairs and helped build 3 miles of new fencing
- Participated in seasonal activities including branding, vaccination, and weaning
- Learned irrigation systems management and helped install water lines to remote pastures
Ranch Intern | Circle B Ranch | Flagstaff, AZ | May 2021 – August 2021
- Shadowed experienced ranch manager to learn operational procedures and animal husbandry
- Assisted with hay harvesting and storage, learning equipment operation safety
- Helped treat common cattle ailments under supervision
- Documented cattle weights and health records in ranch management software
EDUCATION
Associate of Applied Science, Agricultural Management
Pima Community College | Tucson, AZ | Graduated May 2022
Certifications:
- Basic Cattle Management – Arizona Cattlemen’s Association (2022)
- Beef Quality Assurance Certification (2022)
- First Aid & CPR – American Red Cross (2023)
SKILLS
- Livestock Health Management
- Rotational Grazing Systems
- Pasture Assessment
- Farm Equipment Operation
- Basic Veterinary Care
- Fence Construction & Repair
- Irrigation Systems
- Cattle Nutrition
- Staff Supervision
- Ranch Record-keeping
Mid-level Ranch Manager Resume Example
Marcus Hale
Redmond, Oregon | 541-988-2247 | mhale.ranch@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/marcus-hale
Dedicated Ranch Manager with 6+ years of hands-on experience in livestock management, pasture rotation, and ranch operations. Known for implementing sustainable grazing practices that increased herd health by 27% while reducing feed costs. Skilled in staff supervision, equipment maintenance, and financial management with a commitment to environmentally responsible ranching practices.
EXPERIENCE
Ranch Manager | High Plains Cattle Co. | Redmond, OR | January 2020 – Present
- Oversee daily operations of 2,800-acre cattle ranch including 450 head of Angus-cross cattle, 12 horses, and 6 full-time staff
- Implemented rotational grazing system that extended grazing season by 41 days annually while improving soil health
- Reduced winter feed costs by $23,450 through improved hay storage methods and strategic purchasing
- Manage annual operating budget of $1.2M with responsibility for equipment purchases, maintenance schedules, and labor allocation
- Coordinate with veterinarians to maintain comprehensive herd health program, reducing mortality rate from 3.8% to 1.9%
Assistant Ranch Manager | Broken Spoke Ranch | Prineville, OR | March 2018 – December 2019
- Managed calving operations for 300-head cow-calf operation, achieving 94% live birth rate in 2019
- Supervised team of 4 ranch hands during peak seasons, created work schedules, and conducted training
- Maintained detailed records of breeding, vaccinations, and treatments using CattleMax software
- Repaired and maintained fencing, irrigation systems, and outbuildings across 1,600-acre property
Ranch Hand | Double Diamond Ranch | Sisters, OR | June 2016 – February 2018
- Assisted with daily feeding, health checks, and maintenance for mixed cattle and quarter horse operation
- Operated heavy equipment including tractors, skid steers, and ATVs for various ranch tasks
- Participated in branding, vaccinating, and seasonal cattle drives
- Helped implement new irrigation system that increased hay production by 18% on 120 acres
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Associate of Applied Science, Ranch Management | Central Oregon Community College | 2016
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification | Oregon Cattlemen’s Association | 2019, Renewed 2022 Low-Stress Livestock Handling Certification | Stockmanship & Stewardship | 2020
First Aid/CPR Certification | American Red Cross | Current
SKILLS
- Livestock Health Management
- Pasture Rotation & Grazing Systems
- Equipment Operation & Maintenance
- Staff Supervision & Training
- Breeding Program Management
- Soil & Water Conservation
- Ranch Budgeting & Financial Planning
- Fence Installation & Repair
- Irrigation Systems
- CattleMax Software
- Basic Veterinary Skills
Senior / Experienced Ranch Manager Resume Example
MATTHEW DAVIDSON
Sweetwater, TX | (325) 555-0187 | matt.davidson@email.com | linkedin.com/in/mattdavidson
Ranch Manager with 12+ years of experience overseeing livestock operations, pasture management, and staff supervision. Skilled in implementing sustainable ranching practices that have increased herd health by 27% and reduced feed costs by $42,000 annually. Known for practical problem-solving and hands-on leadership in high-pressure agricultural environments.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
RANCH MANAGER | Broken Spur Ranch | Sweetwater, TX | 2018 – Present
- Oversee 12,000-acre cattle operation with 750+ head of Angus-cross beef cattle and 6 full-time ranch hands
- Reduced winter feed costs by 19% ($42K annually) by implementing rotational grazing system and improving hay storage facilities
- Managed $875,000 annual operating budget with consistent under-budget performance while maintaining quality
- Implemented comprehensive herd health program that decreased calf mortality by 11% and increased weaning weights by 24 lbs per calf
- Coordinated complete rebuild of perimeter fencing using high-tensile wire system, coming in 3 weeks ahead of schedule
- Maintained detailed breeding, vaccination, and production records using CattleMax software
ASSISTANT RANCH MANAGER | Circle B Ranch | Abilene, TX | 2014 – 2018
- Supervised daily operations of 5,500-acre cow-calf operation with 450 head and 4 ranch hands
- Planned and executed seasonal grazing rotations, increasing available forage by 31% during severe drought conditions
- Managed calving season operations resulting in 94% successful birth rate (up from 87% previous year)
- Maintained and repaired ranch equipment including tractors, balers, ATVs, and irrigation systems
- Implemented new vaccination protocol that reduced respiratory disease outbreaks by 62%
RANCH HAND / FOREMAN | Rocking R Ranch | San Angelo, TX | 2011 – 2014
- Started as general ranch hand and promoted to foreman position after 14 months
- Assisted with calving, branding, weaning, and shipping operations for 350-head Hereford operation
- Maintained 23 miles of fence line and 8 water sources across 3,200 acres
- Operated heavy equipment for hay production and pasture maintenance
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science, Ranch Management | Texas Tech University | 2011
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification | Current
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A | Current
Artificial Insemination Certification | Select Sires | 2015 Ranch Management Workshop Series | Texas A&M AgriLife Extension | 2017
SKILLS
- Herd Health Management
- Pasture Rotation & Forage Management
- Breeding Program Development
- Equipment Maintenance & Repair
- Water Resource Management
- Staff Supervision & Training
- Budget Administration
- Fence Construction & Repair
- Livestock Marketing
- CattleMax Software
- QuickBooks
How to Write a Ranch Manager Resume
Introduction
Landing that perfect ranch manager job means showcasing your unique blend of agricultural expertise, business savvy, and leadership skills on paper. Your resume isn't just a list of past jobs—it's the narrative of your career that demonstrates how you've successfully managed livestock, land, staff, and budgets. I've helped dozens of ranch professionals land interviews at operations ranging from small family farms to massive cattle enterprises, and I've noticed the resumes that get callbacks share certain qualities that we'll explore below.
The best ranch manager resumes balance technical agricultural knowledge with quantifiable business results. Remember: ranch owners are looking for someone who can manage both animals and profit margins.
Resume Structure and Format
The ranch industry respects tradition, but your resume format should be modern and clean. Keep these guidelines in mind:
- Stick to 1-2 pages (1 page for under 10 years experience, 2 pages for veterans)
- Use clear section headings (Experience, Skills, Education)
- Choose a readable font like Arial or Calibri at 11-12pt
- Include plenty of white space—crowded resumes get skimmed
- Save as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for a .doc)
Professional Summary
Your summary should pack a punch in 3-4 sentences. This isn't the place for modesty—it's where you highlight your biggest selling points as a ranch manager. For example:
"Ranch manager with 6+ years overseeing 5,000-acre cattle operation with 850 head. Reduced feed costs by 17% through improved grazing rotation systems while increasing calving rates to 94%. Experienced in staff supervision, equipment maintenance, and pasture management with strong knowledge of sustainable ranching practices."
Professional Experience
The meat of your resume! For each position, include:
- Ranch name and location
- Your title and dates employed
- Size of operation (acreage, head count, staff size)
- 4-6 bullet points highlighting specific achievements
Focus on results, not just duties. Compare these examples:
Weak: "Responsible for herd health"
Strong: "Decreased calf mortality by 8% through implementation of nighttime calving checks and improved vaccination protocols"
Weak: "Managed pasture rotation"
Strong: "Developed 12-paddock rotational grazing system that extended grazing season by 37 days and reduced hay requirements by 23% annually"
Education and Certifications
Many successful ranch managers don't have formal degrees, but do include any relevant education:
- College degrees (Animal Science, Ag Business, etc.)
- Technical certifications (Artificial Insemination, BQA certification)
- Specialized training (Equipment operation, Low-stress livestock handling)
- Industry workshops or continuing education
Keywords and ATS Tips
Large ranching operations often use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. To get past these digital gatekeepers, weave these terms naturally throughout your resume:
- Livestock management
- Pasture rotation
- Herd health
- Equipment maintenance
- Staff supervision
- Budget management
- Calving seasons
- Forage production
Industry-specific Skills
Ranch managers need diverse skills. Include a skills section highlighting your strengths in areas like:
- Specific livestock experience (cattle, horses, sheep)
- Equipment operation (tractors, balers, feed trucks)
- Record-keeping systems you're familiar with
- Fence repair and construction
- Water system maintenance
- Basic veterinary care
- Weather monitoring and disaster preparedness
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I've seen plenty of ranch manager resumes that missed the mark by:
- Being too vague about operation size and responsibilities
- Focusing solely on duties rather than achievements
- Omitting metrics that show business impact (pregnancy rates, weight gain, cost reductions)
- Using too much technical jargon for HR screeners
- Including irrelevant personal interests (your hunting skills might be relevant; your stamp collection probably isn't)
Before/After Example
Before: "Managed cattle and fixed fences. Fed animals and helped with calving."
After: "Oversaw 350 cow-calf pairs on 2,800 acres, achieving 92% pregnancy rate through improved nutrition program. Reduced labor costs during calving season by $4,750 by implementing camera monitoring system while maintaining 97% calf survival rate."
Your ranch manager resume should paint the picture of someone who's equally comfortable in the saddle and in the office, analyzing spreadsheets. Show that you understand both the art and business of ranching, and you'll stand out from the herd!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Ranch Manager resume
- Cross-functional team leadership (managing ranch hands, veterinarians, and seasonal workers)
- Crisis management during weather events or livestock health emergencies
- Clear communication with both technical experts and non-agricultural stakeholders
- Conflict resolution between team members in remote work environments
- Adaptive decision-making based on changing market conditions and weather patterns
- Mentoring of junior ranch staff and apprentice hands
Hard skills for your Ranch Manager resume
- Livestock health assessment and treatment administration
- Pasture rotation planning using RanchMaps software
- Maintenance of John Deere heavy equipment (tractors, balers, loaders)
- QuickBooks for ranch accounting and inventory management
- Irrigation system installation and troubleshooting (K-Line, pivot systems)
- Feed ration calculation and nutrition program development
- Basic veterinary procedures (vaccinations, deworming, castration)
- Class A CDL with livestock endorsement
- Fence construction and repair (barbed wire, electric, high-tensile)