Paul Pitcher

After 1 year of service I got involved in the poultry (Broilers) side. I started off by managing the feed mill and maintenance. After a year and a half, I was promoted to broiler site manager and managed four sites. There were 70 000 broilers per site until 2004.

Assistant farm manager at Sunrise Farms (2001-01 – 2004)

After 1 year of service I got involved in the poultry (Broilers) side. I started off by managing the feed mill and maintenance. After a year and a half, I was promoted to broiler site manager and managed four sites. There were 70 000 broilers per site until 2004.

• Irrigation (centre pivots and drag line)
• Maize, Soya, Wheat, Dry Beans
• Pastures
• Beef, Mutton, Horses
• Tractor/vehicle and fencing maintenance
• Fire control
• Staff management
• Cost control

Farm manager at J.S.G. Investments (2004-07 – 2007)

Duties as above with Sunrise Farms, but including Granadillas and Pepper-dews for export. Also included Poultry (Broilers).

Farm Manager at Anthony Arde (2007-03 – 2010-07)

Duties covered 4 farms. Responsibilities similar in nature to previous employers.

• General duties as above, excluding Granadillas and Pepper-dews
• Poultry (broilers): 3,000 per week sales; total chicken stock is 20,000
• Beef, Stud Boran: 800 head
• Maize crops under pivot: 1000 ha

Co-owner / poultry business operator at Family poultry (broilers) business (2010-07 – 2011)

Joined my father opening a poultry (broilers) business. After 12 months the business was struggling with cash flow, which did not allow for sufficient growth, and the market was too restricted for meaningful success, so it was decided to close and sell off remaining stock.

Farm Manager at Argyle Farms (2011-08 – 2012-11)

Controlled the operations of B1B Driveway Farm, growing stocks of 220,000 broiler birds per cycle. Responsible for the operation from obtaining feed, controlling maintenance and eventually slaughter of stock including obtaining slaughter weights. Also assisted in the running of the abattoir.

Breeder Manager; Operational Manager at Ross poultry (2012-12 – 2022-03)

• GP Rearing
• GP Laying
• Twenty keys
• Health and safety
• Budget keeping
• Mechanics
• Maintenance
• Computers and Excel

Parent breeder rearing manager at Eagles pride Hatchery (2022-03 – 2023-10)

Managed 4 sites. Each site had ten houses with 5000 PS rearing birds per house, a total of 50 000 PS rearing birds per site. This operation reared Ross.

Area manager for Cobb GP farm at Sovereign foods (2023-10 – Present)

Employed to start up a GP facility again after Rainbow closed the operation. Currently in charge of 5 sites, 2 rearing and 3 laying. Also working with the new breeder line trying to improve on the PS and broiler performance.

Matric – Weston Agricultural College-Mooi River (2000)