Part-Time sheep, goat and calf trader

Small farms, hobby farmers, 4-H and show families, and ethnic and holiday markets that look for specific animals.

You keep the margin between what you pay and what you sell for, minus transport, feed, vet and any sale barn fees. Some deals can instead be done for a flat fee per animal.

• Judging animal health and quality
• Negotiating prices
• Safe animal handling and towing a trailer
• Building a network of farmers

• Livestock dealer licensing and bonding rules vary by province, so check your provincial regulator
• Animal identification, traceability and movement reporting rules, check the CFIA and your province
• Humane transport rules for loading, trailer type and journey times
• Commercial general liability and livestock or vehicle insurance, ask your broker what is covered
• Price swings, animal illness or death, and buyers who pay late can wipe out margins
• Winter weather and seasonal demand, which affect transport and when animals sell

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your trailer, vehicle and the animals you buy first. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $500 to $3,000. Price swings, illness or late-paying buyers can reduce margins.

Livestock dealer licensing and bonding rules vary by province, so check your provincial regulator. Also check animal identification, traceability and movement reporting rules with the CFIA and your province, plus humane transport rules for loading, trailer type and journey times.

The estimate is at least around 8 hours a week. Most of the work is finding good animals, moving them safely and matching them to buyers. Winter weather and seasonal demand can affect transport and when animals sell.