Richard B.
I have been ranching since 1992, both in South Africa and in the United States, and have a diverse set of skills required to run a successful operation. I have worked mainly with beef and crops, but also built my own dairy on our family farm, bred sheep, practiced pasture management and grazing methods, and designed and installed irrigation systems. I have supervised staff from the beginning of my farming career and value them as a vital, integral part of my business. My wife and I operate as a team. She has over 20 years of experience as a systems engineer and has also studied landscape design.
EXPERIENCE:
2019 – CURRENT
RANCH MANAGER in Mississippi
This job involves maintaining about 400 head (beef) with 190 breeding cows, 1,500 acres of hay pastures, ground and machinery maintenance, and the preparation of home, facilities, and grounds for owner visits. I am also experimenting with new pastures of perennial grasses to reduce operating costs and have reduced the breeding period from 150 to 90 days, with > 90% conception rate.
2015 – 2019
RANCH MANAGER, DUCATUS GROUP, KWA-ZULU NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA
This position entailed 1,600 breeding cows (beef), sheep and crops. I was required to perform embryo programs and transplants, artificial insemination with synchronization, and prepare donors and recipients. Large scale burns were required on an annual basis, and during my tenure
in the area I was made Fire Chief in charge of controlled burns and run-away fires. Other duties were to install drag line and pivot irrigation systems, maintain guest houses and grounds, and host hunting and fishing parties.
2013 – 2015
RANCH MANAGER, BILLINGS, MT
This 26,000-acre cattle ranch had 4,200 head of cattle, including a 1,000 head steer finishing feedlot and. 3,100 acres of irrigated alfalfa and wheat. Due to the terrain much of the work was horseback.
1994 – 2013
RANCH MANAGER/OWNER, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
This was a mixed enterprise family farm with beef and dairy cattle, sheep, crops, and vegetables. It was here that I learned how to design and implement irrigation schemes including pivot systems.
EDUCATION:
1990 – 1991
DIPLOMA, CEDARA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, SOUTH AFRICA
Subjects covered included soil science, agronomy, pasture management, cattle nutrition, economics.
1988 – 1989
MILITARY, SOUTH AFRICA
During this time, I reached rank of lieutenant in Intelligence Corps, and played rugby for my province. After this I went to England and played rugby for Gloucestershire County.
1987
MATRIC EXEMPTION, ST ANDREWS COLLEGE, SOUTH AFRICA
1st team rugby, cricket, and water polo.
Rugby captain.
Head of boarding house.
SKILLS:
• Pasture and grazing management
• Usage and maintenance of farm machinery
• Cow and bull selection
• Welding
• Feed conversion
• Chain saw operator and maintenance
• Back-rounding young animals
• Fencing
• Animal husbandry including doctoring and administering drips in animals.
• Workshop experience including basic mechanics
• Choosing, preparing, and showing studs in national level shows
COURSES:
• Artificial Insemination 1998
• Low Stress Stock Handling 2010
• Artificial Insemination and synchronization 2005
• Fire protection
• RCS Grazing for Profit
• McKosker 2006 *
• Springbok head (wool classing)
• RCS Business Link 2004
• Embryo Programs with Embryo Plus 2015
• RCS Executive Link 2005-2008
* The South African and Australian equivalent of the Ranching for Profit and Executive Link programs.
CONTACT ME:
Reach out via email or phone at your convenience.
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