Small flock of sheep for lamb and wool

Livestock agents, saleyards, processors and wool buyers. Some producers also sell a few lambs to neighbours or local butchers.

Sale of lambs by weight or per head, plus a wool clip and occasional cull ewes. Income is seasonal and comes in lumps, mostly after lambing and shearing.

• Comfortable handling livestock
• Basic animal health and pasture management
• Patience and willingness to learn from neighbours
• Fencing and general farm repairs

• Registering your property for a Property Identification Code (PIC) with your state authority, and the tagging and movement paperwork for sheep (check your state's rules)
• Weather, drought and feed costs can change your margins quickly
• Public liability and farm insurance, and workers compensation if you hire help
• Animal welfare standards, biosecurity and wild dog or fox control
• Small flocks can be hard to make profitable, so work out your costs before buying stock

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $100,000, depending on your land, fencing, water, stock numbers and equipment. This assumes you already own or can lease suitable land. Work out your costs before buying any stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on flock size, lamb and wool prices and seasonal conditions. Weather, drought and feed costs can change margins quickly, and small flocks can be hard to make profitable.

Check how to register your property for a Property Identification Code (PIC) with your state authority, plus the tagging and movement paperwork for sheep. Also check insurance, workers compensation if you hire help, animal welfare, biosecurity, and wild dog or fox control.