Millions of people throughout the world earn an income
from sheep and goats breeding, which can be profitable when it takes place on a
medium to large scale. However, as in almost all crops and livestock
activities, the first 1-2 years are introductory and it is good not to expect
significant production.
Any farmer can start breeding 3-4 female sheep and goats for milk and mating them occasionally with males from other flocks. After a few years, he will expand his livestock capital and have enough experience in managing all kinds of sheep and goats, he will know how to control all types of expenses and how to find markets to sell his products with some profit (meat, milk, wool).
At first, it is very important animal feed production to
account about 50% of total consumption
as the cost of livestock feeding is high and ranges between $200 to $300 per
year per sheep-goat. If the farmer has land of 2 acres per 12-15 sheep and
goats, and if its flora is enough and
suitable to provide at least 50% of animals feed during the 9 months of the
year, then he can benefit from a diet based on grazing and avoid spending
significant amounts of money on animal feed. If the particular field cannot produce
enough flora, he must have the financial resources to purchase a certain quantity
of commercial animal feed. On the other hand 25% of sheep and goats breeding total
cost is related to energy (electricity, oil).
In all cases, the most important costs consist by animals purchase and hosting, feed, milking
equipment and medicines-vaccines. In addition, the farmer must add to his
expenses the milking infrastructures, the slaughtering and meat processing infrastuctures, as well
as the storage and processing of milk. In many countries, there are very strict
regulations, so the majority of livestock farmers outsource these activities to
private companies.