The livestock market in Australia generates around $75.4 billion in revenue every year.
It is also a very competitive industry, so if you intend to buy cattle, sheep, pigs or even
machinery, you’ll need to do your homework and act decisively to secure your
investment.
The key to doing this is to make informed decisions, which is just as true for seasoned
farmers as it is for those who are new to the game.
But if you are buying livestock for the first time, you might not be fully aware of all the
unique challenges, legal requirements, and logistical considerations that come with it.
Therefore, it’s worth familiarising yourself with the process as much as you can.
In this post, we’ll present our ultimate guide to buying livestock and what you should
consider before you purchase some.
Hopefully, you’ll find it a useful resource in navigating the practice and taking your first
steps into the world of farming.

1. Understand Your Goals

It is easy to get excited by the prospect of buying cattle and the benefits they will bring
you. But before you go ahead and make a purchase, it is important to understand what
exactly you want to achieve by acquiring them.
For instance, you will have to establish if you are trying to build a small-scale hobby
farm or a large-scale commercial venture. You will also need to understand what type of
livestock you want and what specific needs they have. Beef cattle, for instance, require
much more significant pasture space in relation to poultry, which might be a bigger
barrier to entry.
Additionally, you will need to ascertain the purpose of the livestock and whether you are
raising them for meat, milk, wool or eggs.
Once you understand your goals, you will be able to make targeted and more strategic
purchasing decisions.

2. Calculate the Costs Involved

Something you’ll quickly realise about livestock farming is that it involves both one-time
and recurring costs, which you’ll need to be aware of.
One of the most obvious costs will be the initial purchase price, which will vary
depending on where you purchase livestock. However, at any of the 200+ sales yards in
Australia, you can expect to pay between $1,500 to $5,000 per head for cattle,
depending on factors such as its breed, quality and species.
You will also need to pay for high-quality feed for your livestock, which can be
expensive, but is very necessary in safeguarding their health and productivity.
Additionally, you might require specific infrastructure and machinery to maintain them,
and should also budget for vaccinations, regular check-ups, and emergency care.

3. Consider Your Resources

Often, the success of your livestock purchase depends on factors like how much land
and resources you have.
It is important to make sure that you have enough pasture space per animal because
otherwise, overstocking them can lead to overgrazing, soil degradation, and unhealthy
animals.
At the same time, you’ll need to provide them with a plentiful and sustainable water
source to drink from – which could be natural springs, boreholes, or rainwater collection
– and good shelter to protect them from the Australian climate and elements.
Just be mindful that each species has different needs. Cattle, for example, will require
windbreaks, while pigs thrive in enclosed and insulated spaces.

4. Choose the Right Breed for Your Climate

Australia’s climate can range from temperate regions to dry outback areas. So,
depending on where you are based, you will find that some breeds are more suitable for
certain areas than others.
In Northern Australia, for instance, Bos indicus, Belmont Reds and Adaptaurs are well
suited to harsher conditions and warmer weather. However, in colder parts of the
country, Angus, Hereford, Shorthorn, and Belted Galloway fare better.
Similarly, Merino sheep (which is known for its high-quality wool) are well-suited to dry,
arid areas, while British breeds like Suffolk thrive in lush regions.

Ultimately, it is very important to choose the right breed for the environment in which
you are based, as it minimises the risk of your investment and promotes better health
among your animals.

5. Research Where to Buy Livestock

Once you know what type of livestock you are after, you should work out where you can
purchase it from.
In Australia, you can choose to do this through a private sale with a breeder. However,
most people procure their animals through auctions, which enable you to buy them from
local farmers. While they can be very competitive, they provide a good way to inspect
livestock quality firsthand.
If you can’t physically get to the auction yourself, you can choose to participate in
livestock or machinery auctions at AuctionsPlus or other similar online marketplaces.
This can be a good way to access a wider selection of animals or equipment than would
otherwise be available to you.

6. Assess Animal Health

In the same way you would when buying a car or a house, you should always do your
due diligence before committing to the purchase of any livestock. With cattle, this should
involve assessing their overall level of health.
When deciding which animal to buy, it is best to look for those with proven lineage. This
is especially true if you intend to breed because animals who themselves have been
well-bred tend to have better resistance to diseases and deliver higher yields.
Where possible, you should always physically examine the animal to look for signs of
poor health. This might manifest as lethargy, underweight bodies, or infections. Instead,
look for specimens with bright eyes, a shiny coat, and good muscle tone.
It is also imperative to view their health records, vaccination history and the seller’s farm
records. The last thing you’ll want to do is bring diseases onto your farm.