Full-Time livestock dealer with own trailer or lorry

Farmers buying breeding or fattening stock, finishers, abattoir suppliers and other dealers.

Margin between purchase and sale price, helped by saving on haulage costs. Bigger volumes and good contacts mean more deals, but the money you have tied up in stock is also at risk.

• Valuing livestock quickly
• Building trust with farmers
• Driving and towing livestock safely
• Cash flow and record keeping

• Transporter authorisation, driver competence and vehicle standards for moving livestock, which depend on journey length and species, so check the current rules
• Holding, movement reporting and biosecurity rules, including cattle TB testing, which vary between the UK nations
• Vehicle insurance and goods-in-transit cover for animals, plus public liability
• Price falls, disease outbreaks and movement bans can wipe out margin, so keep cash in reserve
• Cleansing and disinfection of vehicles, and long hours including early starts and weekends

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending mainly on the trailer or lorry you buy, the stock you purchase to begin with, and your insurance cover.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on volumes and market prices. This is revenue, not profit, and price falls, disease outbreaks or movement bans can wipe out margin, so keep cash in reserve.

Check transporter authorisation, driver competence and vehicle standards, which depend on journey length and species. Also check holding, movement reporting and biosecurity rules including cattle TB testing, plus vehicle cleansing and insurance.