Livestock Production Manager - Sheep & Cattle

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site accommodation

Medical aid

Performance bonus

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein seeks an experienced Livestock Production Manager to lead our client's large-scale sheep and cattle operations on-site. You will oversee breeding, nutrition, health management, and daily farm activities, ensuring welfare, productivity, and compliance with biosecurity standards.

The role demands a hands-on leader who can manage a sizeable workforce, optimize pasture use, maintain records, and contribute to strategic planning and budgeting.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Animal Science, Agriculture, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of livestock management experience, with sheep and cattle expertise.
• Proven track record of managing large herds/flocks and teams.
• Strong knowledge of nutrition, genetics, reproduction, and disease control.
• Experience with farm record-keeping and basic management software.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of sheep and cattle herds to optimize health and productivity.
• Develop and implement breeding programs to improve genetics and reproduction rates.
• Manage animal nutrition and formulate feed rations for production stages.
• Enforce biosecurity measures and coordinate disease prevention with veterinarians.
• Lead farm staff recruitment, training, supervision, and performance evaluation.
• Maintain accurate production records and report on performance metrics.
• Support strategic planning and budgeting for the livestock division.

Skills

Livestock management

Team leadership

Record-keeping

Biosecurity

Education

Diploma or Bachelor’s in Animal Science or Agriculture

Tools

Farm management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a large-scale agricultural producer, is seeking an experienced Livestock Production Manager to oversee their extensive sheep and cattle operations. This critical role is based on a primary farm location near Bloemfontein, Free State. The manager will be responsible for all aspects of animal husbandry, including breeding programs, nutrition, health management, and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of both sheep and cattle farming, with a proven ability to manage large herds/flocks and a team of farm workers. This is a non-remote, hands-on position requiring significant on-farm presence to ensure the welfare and productivity of the livestock. We are looking for a results-oriented individual dedicated to excellence in livestock farming.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of sheep and cattle herds/flocks, ensuring optimal health, welfare, and productivity.
• Develop and implement effective breeding programs to improve genetic quality and reproductive rates.
• Oversee animal nutrition, formulating and managing feed rations to meet the specific needs of different age groups and production stages.
• Implement and monitor disease prevention and treatment protocols in collaboration with veterinarians.
• Manage farm staff, including recruitment, training, supervision, and performance evaluation.
• Oversee grazing management, pasture rotation, and supplementary feeding strategies.
• Maintain accurate records of births, deaths, breeding, treatments, and production data.
• Ensure efficient use of farm resources, including water, feed, and equipment.
• Implement and enforce biosecurity measures across all livestock facilities.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and financial management of the livestock division.

Requirements

• National Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in livestock management, with specific experience in both sheep and cattle farming.
• Demonstrated success in managing large livestock operations and improving production metrics.
• Solid understanding of animal nutrition, genetics, reproduction, and disease control.
• Experience in leading and motivating farm teams.
• Proficiency in farm record-keeping and basic farm management software.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing conditions.
• Physical fitness and willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Knowledge of the agricultural landscape in the Free State is advantageous.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This includes on-site accommodation, comprehensive medical aid, and a performance-related bonus structure. Professional development opportunities, including workshops and industry seminars, are provided. Employees benefit from working with a modern, well-equipped livestock operation and a supportive team environment. This role offers a substantial opportunity to manage significant livestock assets and contribute to a leading agricultural enterprise.