Fatten cattle or sheep on agisted or leased grazing

Saleyard buyers, processors, feedlots and other farmers who buy finished or store stock.

The difference between what you pay for young stock and what you sell them for, minus agistment, feed, vet, transport and selling costs. Results depend a lot on seasons and market prices.

• Judging livestock and reading the market
• Livestock handling and animal health basics
• Budgeting and risk management
• Negotiating with landowners and agents

• Stock prices and seasons can swing, so you can lose money on a batch
• Property registration, NLIS tagging, movement records and vendor declarations, check your state's rules
• Put agistment terms in writing, including fencing, water, access and who is responsible for stock losses
• Check livestock, public liability and transit insurance, and whether the landowner's cover applies
• Animal welfare, biosecurity and transport rules, including any need for a suitable truck or carrier
• Tie up only money you can afford, since stock is a big upfront cost and returns come after months

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on how much stock you buy and your agistment arrangements. Stock is a big upfront cost and returns come after months, so only tie up money you can afford.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on stock numbers and when you sell. Stock prices and seasons can swing, so you can lose money on a batch.

Check your state's rules on property registration, NLIS tagging, movement records and vendor declarations. Put agistment terms in writing, and check animal welfare, biosecurity and transport rules, plus livestock, public liability and transit insurance.