KRIRM Welcomes Four New Ranch Management Graduate Students
By Kindra Gordon, Featured in the Fall 2019 Newsletter
In 1910, former U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech with a message that offered inspiration to those trying to make the world a better place. In “The Man in the Arena” Roosevelt said, “…credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause…”
Four new students are “stepping into the arena,” so to speak, as they begin their journey with the King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management (KRIRM) Master of Science in Ranch Management program. Each one shares a passion for the ranching industry and is eager to serve in future roles to better that industry for generations to come.
Garrett Stribling
Born and raised in Scurry, Texas, Garrett Stribling attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a degree in animal science in 2016. He completed some graduate course work at Texas A&M before joining 44 Farms in Cameron, Texas, as a nutrition manager in the fall of 2016. During his time with 44 Farms, Stribling transitioned to assistant manager of cattle operations and eventually manager of cattle operations.
Stribling shares that he was aware of the KRIRM program since being a student at Texas A&M, and “kept the institute in mind for the future.” This winter, he and his wife Emily, who is also a 2016 animal science graduate and has a master’s of science in ruminant nutrition from Texas A&M, decided it was a good time to apply. Stribling says, “I was at the point in my career that I wanted to expand my knowledge of finance, accounting and managing people, and the KRIRM program is the best way for me to do that.”
Additionally, Stribling says, “I hope to enhance my understanding of the financial aspects of the industry. Generating new revenue streams and managing costs are fundamental in running a successful operation, and I intend on sharpening my skills in these areas. The beef industry is a complex business with complex problems and it’s my hope that I can help find the answers to some of these issues.”
Long-term, Stribling says he aims to serve as leader in the cattle industry and through KRIRM, learn skills not taught on the ranch. “From finance and accounting to personnel management and solving the complex problems faced by the industry today, I believe KRIRM will be instrumental in my ability to positively impact the cattle industry.”
Cody Richardson, Jr.
Cody Richardson, Jr. also has Texas roots. He grew up west of Amarillo on the Scharbauer Ranch where his dad worked for the well-known family. Richardson says that upbringing – where ranch work was done on horseback – influenced his interests in the ranching industry. He attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, where he studied business and also took animal science and natural resource management courses. He was active on the ranch horse team, serving as president and named university man of the year.
Since graduating in 2017, Richardson worked on local ranches, and most recently was a camp man on the Frying Pan Ranch. He decided to leave that role and pursue a master’s at KRIRM and says, “I believe that we have a responsibility and a duty as ranchers to steward our natural resources in an ethical and responsible manner to ensure that ranches can be passed down to future generations. It was this passion that pushed me to take the leap of faith and leave the industry to deepen my knowledge in the science and business of ranching.”
Richardson is looking forward to networking with other ranch industry leaders and is eager to gain new perspectives in different ranching approaches to challenges such as drought and managing employees. His long-term goals include building a family ranching operation and serving the industry with integrity.
Ross Bronson
An Idaho Falls, Idaho, native, Ross Bronson grew up riding horses and helping neighbors. He credits his dad, who was initially a dairyman, for instilling the importance of education in Ross and his siblings. When it was difficult for his dad to make ends meet as a dairy producer, he was able to secure a job as a quality control chemist at a nuclear waste facility – because of his college degree. Thus, after graduating from high school, Bronson had an interest in horses and ranching and chose to pursue a degree in animal science at Brigham Young University-Idaho where he graduated in 2007.
His ranch experience through the years has largely derived from the tourism and hospitality industries in West Yellowstone, Montana, and Hawaii. In Hawaii, Bronson’s role with a large cattle herd included selecting breeding stock, creating a pasture management plan, and helping create a grass fed local market. Since 2014, Bronson has been on a resort ranch in southwest Colorado, where he has also had the opportunity to run his own herd of cattle.
Bronson’s introduction to KRIRM came from attending a lectureship and pursuing the certificate program. “As I spent more time at the Institute and saw who supported it and was involved in it, as well as what they were doing, I felt driven to be a bigger part of it.”
Looking ahead, Bronson wants to enhance his understanding of accounting as it relates to ranching. He is also eager for the networking opportunities among other students and ranchers and being exposed to the efforts of progressive and successful ranches.
Ultimately, Bronson says he wants to make a difference and continue to be a voice for the industry. “Being in tourism, I come in contact with so many people who are not directly associated with agriculture, and I get to dispel myths, educate, and advocate for the industry I know and love.” Based on his experiences in tourism, Bronson says he isn’t ruling out the idea of operating his own guest ranch with a working ranch side.
Relocating to Kingsville with Bronson are his wife Aubrey, a Utah native whom he met and married while in Hawaii. Their family includes Oliver (5), Cricket (4) and Daphne (6 mo).
Kord Killpack
Kord Killpack was raised in southeast Idaho, where his father worked for the sheriff’s department. On his days off, he and Kord would travel around and day work for local ranchers. “This is when I first developed my love for ranching,” Killpack tells. Young Killpack then spent many summers working for those local ranchers learning all aspects of running a ranch. After high school, he spent a year traveling, rodeoing, and working for a local rancher; then spent two years on a mission trip. He graduated from Brigham Young University – Idaho, majoring in agriculture business, in 2017. A college internship with Rex Ranch in western Nebraska, led to a full-time job with the ranch upon graduation.
Of his experiences in Nebraska, Killpack tells, “We run cows in an extremely intense rotation. We manage our own cow herd with minimal management supervision. You learn to become extremely efficient with your time and how to handle livestock in a low stress, efficient manner.”
Killpack says, “After working on ranches, I started to realize the value in education.” Specifically, he wants to strengthen his business skills, and shares, “I am excited to understand what goes on behind the scenes and makes that ranch successful. I’ve been lucky enough to work with great managers and see a variety of ways to manage, and I hope to enhance my style of management.”
Among his goals, Killpack says, “Long-term I hope to be able to preserve and protect ranches like the ones I grew up on. It’s important to me that we preserve this lifestyle for future generations.”
Killpack moved to Kingsville with his wife Destiny and their daughter McKall (10 mo.) He concludes, “Family is part of the reason I love ranching so much. I love having family by my side helping me. I also think it’s a great lifestyle to raise your kids; they learn a lot about responsibility, hard work, and critical thinking.”
