Registered stud breeder selling breeding stock

Commercial farmers who buy sires and breeding females to improve their own herds or flocks, plus other studs and some hobby farmers.

Sale of breeding animals at higher prices than commercial stock, through private sales, on-farm sale days or auctions. Prices depend on genetics, records and your reputation.

• Strong livestock handling and breeding knowledge
• Record keeping and genetics or performance data
• Marketing and relationship building with farmers
• Farm management

• Breed society rules, registration and recording requirements, and associated fees
• Property Identification Code (PIC), livestock identification and movement rules, and vendor declarations, which vary by state
• Animal welfare and biosecurity duties, plus disease testing buyers may expect
• It can take years to build a reputation, so cash flow may be slow
• Public liability and livestock insurance, and workers compensation once you hire help
• Seasonal and drought risk, and the cost of good foundation animals

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on the breed, the quality of your foundation animals, and your land and facilities. Good foundation animals can be a major cost, so budget carefully before you buy.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on herd or flock size and how many sires and breeding females you sell. It can take years to build a reputation, so cash flow may be slow.

Check breed society rules, registration and recording requirements and fees. Also check PIC, livestock identification and movement rules and vendor declarations, which vary by state, plus animal welfare and biosecurity duties, disease testing buyers may expect, and insurance.