In Australia, 'stockman' embodies the image of a rugged, independent individual working in the outback. During our trip to the outback, we saw a stockman who seemed like he'd jumped out of an old Australian tale.
Pro Tip 2/3
Occupation Specific
'Stockman' isn't used for anyone working with animals; it's specific to those who manage large herds. After getting experience with the sheep, he finally became a stockman responsible for the cattle.
Pro Tip 3/3
Context Matters
In different regions, 'stockman' might be seen as an equivalent to 'cowboy' or 'rancher'. When I went to the US, people thought 'stockman' was just another word for 'cowboy'.