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Coming up with a good business plan

 Whether you are a shepherd wondering what to do with your fiber or you're a fiber artist who is thinking of turning your hobby into a career, we hope our information, though limited, will help you decide whether you want to pursue a business. 

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Many of us have started with a love for something, whether it is in raising animals or making beautiful things for people , it is always a decision best made with a little help. Selling your wares or in our case, processing for others comes starts with an idea and a well thought out plan.

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Let's start with looking at the various animals we work with and their possibilities.

SHEEP

  • Fleece

yarn, roving, raw fleece,finished goods

  • Milk

milk, cheese, soap

fertilizer

  • Meat

the whole animal

cuts of lamb

  • Hide

leather

sheepskin

  • Manure

composted

fresh

  • Animal Sales

Image by Judith Prins

Photo courtesy of Judith Prins  via Wix.com

ALPACA

  • Fleece

yarn, roving, raw fleece,living rug, finished goods​

  • Animal Sales

  • Manure

composted

fresh

  • Meat

the whole animal

cuts of lamb

  • Hide

leather

sheepskin

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Image by Jaddy Liu

Photo courtesy of Jaddy Liu  via Wix.com

LLAMA

  • Fleece

yarn, roving, raw fleece,living rug, finished goods​

  • Animal Sales

  • Manure

composted

fresh

  • Meat

the whole animal

cuts of lamb

  • Hide

leather

sheepskin​

Image by Jessica Knowlden

Photo courtesy of Jessica Knowlden via Wix.com

GOATS

  • Fleece

yarn, roving, raw fleece,finished goods

  • Milk

milk, cheese, soap

fertilizer

  • Meat

the whole animal

cuts of lamb

  • Hide

leather

sheepskin

  • Manure

composted

fresh

  • Animal Sales

Farmer Holding Goat

Courtesy of Wix.com

So What do I charge for my……?

We are asked this question quite often so we thought we would make it easier to  a chart to help you figure your costs. So many people do not factor in all  things that actually go into creating finished items. 

If you do not raise animals, you can skip some of these, but the reality is there is more to consider when starting and maintaining a business. 

We hope this will shed light on where your costs truly are.

 

 Cost to Maintain Your Herd over the coarse of One (1) year

Maintain my herd costs me.....

  •    $________  Hay

  •    $________  Pellets

  •    $________  Water for Pasture

  •    $________  Shearing by a hired sheared

  •    $________  Worming

  •    $________  Vaccinations

  •    $________  Other costs incurred  ie: boarding, etc

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  •    $________   Total of all lines

Fiber Production

Approximate amount of usable fiber

 

  •     ________  # Average number of pounds of fiber per animal:                                                                      _______ pounds  times 16 =  _______ ounces

  •     ________  # Ounces that are not be usable – skirting ( about 20% )

  •     ________  # Ounces that are coarse and usable for felting or rugs only

  •     ________  # Ounces that will be good quality for roving, yarn or other

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  •      _________  # TOTAL AMOUNT OF USEABLE FIBER

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Do the Math

The real figure

  • Now let's do some math

  • Divide :

  • The Cost per animal per year = $ _____

  • by The Total Ounces of usable fiber ______ =

  • This is your Cost per ounce of fiber $ _____

  • You can multiply this by 16 to get your pound price.
    This is your COST.

  • If you are selling the fiber in the raw state, then a general rule of thumb is to double that cost for a wholesale price, if you chose to wholesale your product.

  • To sell retail, you can take the Cost of fiber per ounce of pound and multiply that by 3 or 4. This would be your base selling price.

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