Grazing management, breeding practice, marketing behaviour and financial management all form part of the extensive cattle rancher's system. Many ranching areas are characterised by large climatological variation, which in its turn leads to vanable availabilites of edible plants. Beef prices are subject to cyclical and seasonal variation. Market access is limited by the permit/quota system. Market planning and adaptability that will enable farmers to adjust stock numbers to both marketing strategy and ecological conditions is a key to financial success. Farmers should limit capital expenditure; this includes limitations in number of camps and number of herds. Larger camps, fewer herds and multisire mating appear to be associated with financial success.