cattleman

A cattleman is a person who raises, breeds, and manages cattle, typically on a farm or ranch. The term is used most often in North America and can refer to owners, managers, or hired operators who focus on beef or dairy cattle. A cattleman's duties include herd health and nutrition, breeding and genetics decisions, pasture and water resource management, fencing and facilities maintenance, branding, and record-keeping, and coordination with veterinarians, feed suppliers, and markets.

Historically, the concept arose with the cattle industry in the 19th-century American West, where ranching operations encompassed large herds and defined professional roles such as cattleman and cowboy. While cowboys commonly performed day-to-day herding, cattlemen typically owned or organized the enterprise and bore financial risk.

In modern practice, cattlemen may run family-owned or corporate ranches, employing cowhands and specialized staff. Practices vary by region but often include rotational grazing, breeding programs, and marketing through cooperatives or feedlots. Animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance are integral to operation.

Regionally, the term is used differently. In the United States and Canada, cattleman is often synonymous with rancher, stockman, or cattle producer. In Australia and other Commonwealth countries, similar roles are described as cattle producers with pastoral operations. The precise meaning varies with local tradition and farm structure. The term derives from cattle, with the agent noun -man.