Cattle Development Manager

Cattle Development Manager

Join a progressive, multigenerational Texas ranch dedicated to honoring a legendary legacy while embracing innovation, stewardship, and data-driven excellence.

What’s In It for You

Become part of a forward-thinking, high-performance cattle operation where animal health, top-tier genetics, and structured development programs truly matter.

Work hands-on with elite bulls, steers, and heifers that represent the future of the ranch’s breeding and marketing success.

Take ownership of key animal-health, feeding, and development programs - your expertise will directly shape the performance of the herd.

Collaborate daily with experienced ranch leadership, veterinarians, and a dedicated development team.

Thrive within a ranch culture that values precision, accountability, innovation, and the highest standards of animal welfare.

Grow professionally in areas such as herd health management, nutrition, reproduction, leadership, and advanced cattle development systems.

What You Will Be Doing

Oversee daily care and development of all bulls, steers, and heifers on feed, ensuring soundness and long-term performance.

Confirm all cattle are BVD-PI tested prior to herd integration.

Support strong biosecurity by managing two-week quarantines for new arrivals when possible.

Ride pens and follow the feed truck to evaluate cattle behavior, mobility, and overall condition.

Conduct structured health checks:

Daily (6 days/week) during the first month

Every other day in the second month

As needed thereafter

Treat animals as needed and coordinate veterinary involvement with clarity and professionalism.

Manage inventories of vaccines, medicines, and treatment supplies; monitor expiration dates and coordinate replacements.

Maintain accurate health calendars for rechecks, withdrawal periods, wraps, and follow-up evaluations.

Review and refine herd health protocols in partnership with the Foreman and Veterinarian.

Read feed bunks each morning and prepare updated Feed Sheets with any ration adjustments.

Fill in for the Feedman as needed—mixing and delivering feed confidently and accurately.

Administer feed additives such as CTC or lice control when required.

Use Feed Sheets to:

Track feed inventory

Clearly communicate ration types and quantities for every feeding

Maintain clean, functional water troughs and feed bunks.

Support upkeep of all cattle-on-feed facilities—gates, pens, concrete, chutes, AI barn, drainage, and more.

Clean pens as needed to promote a healthy environment.

Ensure feeding equipment is in proper working condition and help coordinate timely repairs.

Maintain accurate animal location and ensure appropriate pen groupings.

Conduct weekly head counts and verify alignment with feed sheets and inventory.

Keep one ID tag matching the animal’s tattoo in each animal; create temporary tags and order Ritchie replacements as needed.

Communicate daily with the Foreman and Feedman to maintain alignment on cattle, health, and feed goals.

Provide guidance and direction to interns and junior staff.

Lead crews on major cattle-working days—branding, yearling measurements, BSEs, Trich tests, photos, videos, and more.

Schedule and oversee:

Coop check-ins and physical evaluations

Rumen magnet application

840 EID tagging

Freeze branding

Ultrasound & yearling data collection

BSE & Trich testing

Photos and videos

Sale cattle sorting and load-out

Trips to and from veterinary clinics

Other Responsibilities

Assist the Foreman with pasture cattle and horse operations when needed.

Support heifer calving.

Participate in synchronization, heat checking, and AI breeding programs.

You will thrive in this role if you bring:

A strong foundation in cattle husbandry, stockmanship, and animal-health management.

Experience reading bunks, managing rations, and making sound feed decisions.

The ability to spot health challenges early and treat animals accurately and consistently.

Mechanical aptitude and willingness to help maintain equipment and facilities.

Strong organizational skills for inventory, tagging, scheduling, and documentation.

Leadership presence and confidence in guiding interns and helping manage work crews.

Clear, professional communication with veterinarians, foremen, and feeding personnel.

Independence, reliability, and a deep commitment to animal welfare and ranch success.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience

On-ranch housing

Beef allowance

Paid time off

Health insurance options

Work truck or mileage reimbursement

Opportunities for continued development (nutrition, AI certification, health management, and more)

*Candidates must be eligible to work in the US as well as meet the qualifications listed above in order to be considered for the Cattle Development Manager job.

Compensation:

$80,000 per year