Part-Time sheep and cattle dealer

Farmers looking for breeding or fattening stock, finishers, and other dealers or buyers at marts and private sales.

The difference between what you pay and what you sell for, after transport, mart fees, feed and any losses. Your margin depends on your eye for stock and timing.

• Judging livestock condition and value
• Negotiating with farmers
• Safe animal handling
• Good record keeping

• Registration of any land or holding you use, and movement reporting rules, which differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check with APHA and your national body
• Cattle TB testing and movement restrictions, which can trap you with stock you cannot sell
• Animal welfare law and rules on transporting animals, including who needs authorisation or a certificate of competence
• Price swings and disease losses: you can lose money on a batch, so only risk what you can afford
• Insurance, including public liability and cover for stock and transport, and tax records as a sole trader

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how much stock you buy at first, what you pay for hired haulage, and the insurance you take out.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £2,500, depending on how many animals you trade and market prices. This is revenue, not profit, and price swings or disease losses can leave you out of pocket on a batch.

Check registration of any land or holding you use and movement reporting rules, which differ between UK nations, with APHA and your national body. Also check cattle TB restrictions, animal welfare and transport rules, and insurance.