ABSTRACT
Ranches are characterized by a series of components—people, landscapes, livestock, wildlife, financial resources, and infrastructure—that comprise an integrated system. Building and sustaining a healthy ranch requires that decision makers effectively manage a set of broad trade-offs, competing interests, and multiple forces that pressure the ranch system. Superior ranch management is founded on intentional choices made in accordance with the strategic vision of the business and in alignment with a set of deeply held core values. Ranches that achieve excellence are led by people who are capable of complex problem-solving, strategic planning, and tactical delivery. These leaders also express a high level of emotional intelligence and personal integrity that drive the tripartite practice of stewardship, husbandry, and stockmanship. Specific to livestock management are five spires of decision-making—livestock handling, breeding and genetics, nutrition, animal health, plus education and training that are fundamental to animal husbandry and stockmanship.
