Business and Economics
If you are managing wild cattle and buffalo for business, you need to make sure that the money you make from sale is greater than the costs. This isn't so important if you have other values that you are focusing on such as cattle removal for protecting important sites on country, training and skills development or providing employment opportunities. However, make sure that you are aware of the costs associated herd management activities and the legal requirements for selling cattle. It's also important to look at the other potential income streams (such as carbon and biodiversity markets) that may provide a more stable income. Managing cattle and buffalo for profit can have negative impacts on biodiversity and carbon values and reducing impacts of these animals could be a new income stream should the new markets become available.
From a purely business perspective, harvesting wild animals is a challenging business model. There is a lot of uncertainty in supply and the quality of animals is difficult to manage. If you are serious about managing cattle for business, you should consider starting to grow a domestic managed herd that is separate from wild stock. As per the environment and culture section, make sure you are aware of the trade-offs involved with growing a domestic herd and also complete a detailed business model that includes the costs of new infrastructure and ongoing maintenance and human resource costs.
If you establish a domestic herd you will need to start learning about animal husbandry. Animal husbandry involves controlling the economic values of your animals. The economics of cattle rely on controlling the things that cost and make your money. The values are pretty simple but getting them right can be really hard in remote areas. The management of food quality and quantity throughout the year, good water and animal health will help you control the following elements.
- How fast they get fat (this includes food and supplement quality and quantity throughout the year).
- How much weight they loose and when (as per above but timing with market values to provide quality animals when demand is high).
- How many cows are getting pregnant and how many pregnancies make it to calving.
- How many babies survive.
- How much does it cost to muster the animals for transport (location and maintenance of fencing, roads and tracks. Density of vegetation).
- How much does it cost to transport them (location and maintenance of roads and access to trucks).
