Cab-over Pete
Member
- Location
- Kenilworth, Warwickshire
Aye-up,
I had an interesting over-the-gate conversation with some bloke the other day. He was surprised to see lambs in January and was asking various questions as to how we run our little sheep hobby. Despite me telling him several times how we are only dabbling at the moment, he seemed very interested in profit margins and the cost of everything. We have had people thinking sheep are worth £9000 (yes, nine thousand pounds) each.
He asked how much I was looking to make per ewe. When I replied that I was sure they would lose money, he couldn't believe it. Various comments about business and industry standards followed. I listened intently, trying to keep my patience and do a bit of good PR.
Eventually he asked how much a proper sheep farmer would look to make per ewe. Even after explaining the many variables of land ownership vs renting and different sheep farming systems, he was still amazed that I couldn't give him a straight answer. I finished by telling him that a 500 ewe sheep farmer would probably just have to be happy with a modest wage and forget about actual profit.
He said we were all mad. I went off and found myself agreeing with his thoughts!
I have asked before on TFF how come no-one ever makes any money. Is there such a thing as a profit margin in sheep? Am I wasting my time thinking we have anything but a hobby here? There is 37 acres of unused land adjoining my fields, but am I wasting my time asking if I can rent it? There is 110 acres of underused grass within 2 miles of here. With our 14acres the adjoining 37 would make a nice little block, but should I stay just hobbying?
I know it's a numbers game, but there must be some sort of idea about small flock margins!
Help me out. I could crunch all the numbers but there's nothing better than experienced opinion. Just put aside all the "must be mad" stuff for a while!!
Cheers, Pete.
I had an interesting over-the-gate conversation with some bloke the other day. He was surprised to see lambs in January and was asking various questions as to how we run our little sheep hobby. Despite me telling him several times how we are only dabbling at the moment, he seemed very interested in profit margins and the cost of everything. We have had people thinking sheep are worth £9000 (yes, nine thousand pounds) each.
He asked how much I was looking to make per ewe. When I replied that I was sure they would lose money, he couldn't believe it. Various comments about business and industry standards followed. I listened intently, trying to keep my patience and do a bit of good PR.
Eventually he asked how much a proper sheep farmer would look to make per ewe. Even after explaining the many variables of land ownership vs renting and different sheep farming systems, he was still amazed that I couldn't give him a straight answer. I finished by telling him that a 500 ewe sheep farmer would probably just have to be happy with a modest wage and forget about actual profit.
He said we were all mad. I went off and found myself agreeing with his thoughts!
I have asked before on TFF how come no-one ever makes any money. Is there such a thing as a profit margin in sheep? Am I wasting my time thinking we have anything but a hobby here? There is 37 acres of unused land adjoining my fields, but am I wasting my time asking if I can rent it? There is 110 acres of underused grass within 2 miles of here. With our 14acres the adjoining 37 would make a nice little block, but should I stay just hobbying?
I know it's a numbers game, but there must be some sort of idea about small flock margins!
Help me out. I could crunch all the numbers but there's nothing better than experienced opinion. Just put aside all the "must be mad" stuff for a while!!
Cheers, Pete.