Is farming profitable

4 posts
Sun, 11/29/2015 - 09:35 #1

Member for

8 years 4 months
MNb
Last seen: 11/29/2015 - 09:35
Joined: 11/29/2015 - 09:25

Is farming profitable

Hi I plan on starting a sheep farm and was wondering if it is profitable or not. I have little knowledge about this matter but plan of doing much more research on it. I have looked at some farms and and they range from 20 to 400 hectares all around $200,000. I was just wondering if creating a sheep farm or any type of farm (which ever is more prfitable) would be a good idea. I also can't spend much time in the farm as, maybe few times a month and I was told a sheep farm would be the best as they require little assistance. So basically my question is, is starting a farm a good idea to make a profit and if so which would be the best type. Thanks
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Thu, 12/03/2015 - 16:31 #2
barb
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi M,

Difficult question to answer. However, Dingos and wild dogs are a serious preditor of sheep and goats, so I would have hesitation in recommending stocking a propety with sheep or goats, if you are not going to be there all the time to protect them. You may be better off stocking the property with beef cattle, which are less vulnerable to predation.

 

I run both cattle and goats and have literally lost hundreds of very valuable stud goats over the years, despite baiting and trapping. Whereas, with cattle, I have lost only 2 cows and seven calves when a large pack of about 20 dingos ran them over an embankment on the property. One broke her neck and one her leg. Once they were down, the dingos finished them and the calves that were with them.

 

So to cut a long story short, I would under no circumstances stock a property with sheep if I were not going to be there all the time. Cattle are less vulnerable to attack and as long as they have feed and water and good fencing, should be o.k. to check up on every couple of weeks.

 

As for the size of the property, well another difficult question. Smaller blocks are usually closer to town which could be considered a plus, but larger blocks give you room to expand your business and give you more options as to what you can do with them. For instance grazing, growing small crops or fodder crops. The things to check up on, are water, fencing, soil (contamination from old dips etc) and believe it or not the neighbours. Why the neighbours?  Let me explain, an acquaintance of mine bought bought a beautiful property on a creek in Victoria, which he thought was a bargain. It has turned out to be a nightmare instead, as his neighbours constantly harrass him, cutting fences, abusing him whenever he approaches their joint boundary fence and, make phantomn phone calls in the middle of the night and so on. Their son wanted to buy the property so perhaps they are hoping that he will put the property on the market so that they can get hold of it.  So my advice is, when you find the property you like, talk to a few of the neighbours before you make a commitment.

 

I hope that some of this is helpful. Get back to us if you some more questions as we are only too happy to help.

 

Regards,

Barb

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Thu, 12/03/2015 - 20:32 #3
rmcpb
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 10/22/2012 - 11:13
To be honest I would argue against buying a block if you are not going to be there. If you think about it, farmers spend their lives looking after their land and stock. If that was not necessary why would they do it? If you are not careful you will spend lots of money for a dream. Maybe wait till you can devote more time to your venture and in the meantime do some short courses. Cheers Rob.
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Thu, 12/03/2015 - 23:51 #4
barb
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

hi again M,

I agree with Rob 100% as leaving sheep or other small ruminants without protection on a property is not a good idea. It is a recipe for disaster, as feral dogs and dingos will make short work of the poor things.

 

Regards,

Barb

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