Shepherds' Wages

unlacedgecko · Jun 12, 2016

Hi All,

My father in law was rubbishing my tack sheep plans the other day. Apparently I need to 'stop mucking about and get a real job'.

So that I've got some figures to go back to him with, would anyone give me an idea of shepherds' salaries? For say singled handed on 1500 ewes on an outdoor lambing system (I've done shed lambing and will never go back!). It would need to include a 3 bed house, as I'm married with children and we probably couldn't afford to buy in a new area.

Thanks all.

Coximus · Jun 12, 2016

What sort of inputs and breeds and rent per acre vs stock density.
With the right sheep and breeding and all grass no brought in food I'd say 1500 ewes should be able to give you a take home pay around 40k-60k

S J H · Jun 12, 2016

Can you not just tell him to sod off?

exmoor dave · Jun 12, 2016

unlacedgecko said:
Hi All,

My father in law was rubbishing my tack sheep plans the other day. Apparently I need to 'stop mucking about and get a real job'.

So that I've got some figures to go back to him with, would anyone give me an idea of shepherds' salaries? For say singled handed on 1500 ewes on an outdoor lambing system (I've done shed lambing and will never go back!). It would need to include a 3 bed house, as I'm married with children and we probably couldn't afford to buy in a new area.

Thanks all.

What does FiL do for a living?

DB67 · Jun 12, 2016

Coximus said:
What sort of inputs and breeds and rent per acre vs stock density.
With the right sheep and breeding and all grass no brought in food I'd say 1500 ewes should be able to give you a take home pay around 40k-60k

You'd need a fair bit of help if you had 1500 ewes by yourself. Lambing, shearing etc.

CopperBeech · Jun 12, 2016

I think, reading the initial post, the OP is asking - what kind of salary could he expect if employed to shepherd the above on a full time employed basis, and will then compare it to what he will make just tacking other peoples sheep on a seasonal basis. I guess FIL is suggesting there may be more money and better security in the former. . . .

unlacedgecko · Jun 12, 2016

CopperBeech said:
I think, reading the initial post, the OP is asking - what kind of salary could he expect if employed to shepherd the above on a full time employed basis, and will then compare it to what he will make just tacking other peoples sheep on a seasonal basis. I guess FIL is suggesting there may be more money and better security in the former. . . .

Cheers mate. I'm never clear writing after a beer!

CopperBeech · Jun 12, 2016

I still agree with SJH though . . . . . unless the FIL is a lot bigger than you!

unlacedgecko · Jun 12, 2016

exmoor dave said:
What does FiL do for a living?

After running various businesses doing contract haulage and property development, he is very very comfortably retired at 65.

Unfortunately the wife is not an only child, and FIL family is notoriously long lived! Lol

unlacedgecko · Jun 12, 2016

S J H said:
Can you not just tell him to sod off?

I'd love to. But in order to maintain marital bliss at home, I need to be slightly more diplomatic...

unlacedgecko · Jun 12, 2016

Coximus said:
What sort of inputs and breeds and rent per acre vs stock density.
With the right sheep and breeding and all grass no brought in food I'd say 1500 ewes should be able to give you a take home pay around 40k-60k

Thanks. I was more thinking as an employed shepherd looking after someone else's flock. Any ideas?

gb82 · Jun 12, 2016

30k plus a house.

Downton_shep · Jun 12, 2016

Somewhere around 25k depending on location , truck use and what bills need paying on the house. Also will depend if u have full control of the flock!

unlacedgecko · Jun 12, 2016

gb82 said:
30k plus a house.

Thank you.

unlacedgecko · Jun 12, 2016

_sheptastic said:
Somewhere around 25k depending on location , truck use and what bills need paying on the house. Also will depend if u have full control of the flock!

That's great. Thanks.

Frank-the-Wool · Jun 12, 2016

With a vehicle and a house up to 25k would be typical.
Maybe a little more if all the shearing/crutching was done by him as well.

One man to 1500 ewes is what we work on, and that is only part time on sheep. One assistant at lambing time, working on around 155% lambing on an outdoor system.

unlacedgecko · Jun 12, 2016

Frank-the-Wool said:
With a vehicle and a house up to 25k would be typical.
Maybe a little more if all the shearing/crutching was done by him as well.

One man to 1500 ewes is what we work on, and that is only part time on sheep. One assistant at lambing time, working on around 155% lambing on an outdoor system.

Thanks very much that's really helpful.

Man_in_black · Jun 12, 2016

unlacedgecko said:
Cheers mate. I'm never clear writing after a beer!

Starting early!!!!

Downton_shep · Jun 12, 2016

I'm pretty sure most shepherds/farmers do it for the way of life rather than the money.

S J H · Jun 12, 2016

unlacedgecko said:
I'd love to. But in order to maintain marital bliss at home, I need to be slightly more diplomatic...

Yes sorry, my post wasn't very helpful. But after speaking to you previously you obviously know your costings, he's made his career the way he wanted to do it, so IMO you should be able to do the same.

That said, I'd say £30k with a house.

Shepherds' Wages

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0 %

Up to 25%

25-50%

50-75%

75-100%

100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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